Thesaurus results for SIGNALS

signals 1 of 2

noun

plural of signal

as in flags

an object intended to give public notice or warning stop signs are signals for vehicles to come to a full stop—not suggestions for slowing down, as some drivers seem to think

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in gestures

a movement of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea or feeling quietly waiting for the signal to advance

Synonyms & Similar Words

signals

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of signal

as in motions

to direct or notify by a movement or gesture signaled the oncoming traffic to stop while the wrecked car was being towed away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of signals

Noun

And in a very recent experiment, quantum optical signals in a superposition of different states of light were communicated between South Africa and China over a distance of more than 12,900 kilometers. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026 Quantum sensors that can guide ships and aircraft without satellite signals. — Andrei Iancu, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026 Early vote signals More than 830,000 Georgians have already cast early ballots, and there’s plenty in the first wave of turnout data to give Democrats reason for optimism. — Adam Beam, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026 During the experiment, the chip analyzed signals to predict the onset of sawtooth instabilities, which involve rapid changes in plasma conditions. — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026 Ahead of the company’s next quarterly earnings report scheduled for tomorrow, the other big question that remains is what the reorganization signals for Netflix’s future. — Josef Adalian, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026 With early signals that are ambiguous and without a clear shock, mobilization lags. — Raj Panjabi, Time, 13 Oct. 2026 That shows that the demand is there, and then the demand signals trickle down. — Sj Studio, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Much of Argentina is flat, allowing AM signals to travel hundreds of miles without obstruction. — Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026

Verb

This kind of stop-and-go volatility often signals that a market rally is in its last stages. — Ruchir Sharma, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026 Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa in Canada, said Monday’s announcement signals a direct confrontation between Kabila and Tshisekedi. — Justin Kabumba, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 Yvon Muya, a researcher at the University of Ottawa in Canada, said Monday's announcement signals a direct confrontation between Kabila and Tshisekedi. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026 Unemployment is low and signals full employment, while stock markets are at or near record highs. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026 If a suit traditionally signals conformity and respectability, corduroy gives it a louche edge. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 Still, the donation signals a slow but growing national Democratic interest in Florida, which was largely abandoned by top liberal groups after a GOP tsunami consumed the state in 2022. — Liv Caputo, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 2026 With President Lee Jae Myung observing the trial, the event also signals strong political support for strengthening national defense capabilities. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2026 To him, that signals a cultural shift that will, hopefully, equip more doctors to help young people struggling with addiction. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for signals

Noun

Protesters, many of whom have been seen carrying Palestinian flags, have set fire to historic buildings and attacked civilians.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
Carney ordered flags lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings nationwide Sunday in honor of the four soldiers killed.

— Rob Gillies, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of flags

Noun

We had been told not to point, lest our gestures attract a sniper’s bullets.

— Nicolas Niarchos, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
The gestures of moving, being, and breathing coalesced for Kristin as this poem, which emerged from the state of presence that is meditation-in-action.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of gestures

Verb

Picture a doorman who checks your ID with great care, then waves you into any apartment in the building.

— Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The Spa At the beach-level spa, the windows were left wide open during my 60-minute Salt Air Reset massage, making all-natural birdsong and waves the soundtrack of my treatment.

— Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of waves

Browse Nearby Words

signalizing

signals

signature

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Signals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/signals. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of signals

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

jilt

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Did 'orange' the fruit or the color come first?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes