How to Use symbolic gesture in a Sentence

symbolic gesture

noun
  • This was, at the time, a symbolic gesture, which the film injects with a little too much suspense.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
  • In a symbolic gesture, Moore gave Melissa the first pen of the afternoon.
    Sam Janesch, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 2023
  • At $35 million, this first grant to BAE is almost a symbolic gesture.
    Eva Dou, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023
  • For the national anthem, removing the hat is a symbolic gesture of loyalty to the country.
    Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 4 July 2023
  • Four Israeli newspapers covered their front pages in black ink as a symbolic gesture to mark a blow against democracy.
    Isabel Debre, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 July 2023
  • Cinemas across the country will remain closed for one day on Feb. 5 in a symbolic gesture to protest against high government taxes.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 5 Feb. 2024
  • Up until 2016, though, only men could receive the symbolic gesture.
    Taysha Murtaugh, Country Living, 12 Mar. 2023
  • But for Trump, whose face is already arguably the most recognized on the planet, the photo was more a symbolic gesture than a practical piece of evidence.
    John Fritze, USA TODAY, 26 Aug. 2023
  • The order for the symbolic gesture runs through sunset on Friday, according to a release by the governor's office.
    Joe Mutascio, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Mar. 2023
  • This is not a symbolic gesture, but one with horrific consequences.
    Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2024
  • In a symbolic gesture, Germany’s foreign minister flew to Nigeria in December, and handed back the first 20 items, with more scheduled to follow.
    Alex Marshall, New York Times, 4 June 2023
  • Palestinian leaders in the West Bank welcomed the recognition by the three countries as an important symbolic gesture.
    Michael Levenson, New York Times, 22 May 2024
  • Except the retirement papers are a symbolic gesture that mean nothing.
    Ben Volin, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023
  • Several Missouri union groups called it a symbolic gesture.
    Daniel Desrochers, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024
  • This past November, John made that symbolic gesture official and delivered the induction speech when Taupin was at last inducted into the Hall.
    Thomas Floyd, Washington Post, 30 Jan. 2024
  • Israel funding The first action the House took after Johnson was sworn in as speaker was to pass a resolution affirming support for Israel, a symbolic gesture.
    Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2023
  • Experts said the invitation was a symbolic gesture that could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican.
    Reuters, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2023
  • Together, these observations suggested to the researchers that the fluttering qualifies as a symbolic gesture.
    Will Sullivan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'symbolic gesture.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: