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hand waving

American  
Also hand-waving,

noun

  1. insubstantial words, arguments, gestures, or actions used in an attempt to explain or persuade.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

When the Atlantic, the Post and the Times announced their opposition, Hegseth replied with an emoji of a hand waving goodbye.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2025

Frustration then boiled over as animated hand waving was aimed the way of team-mate Rafael Leao late in the game.

From BBC • Oct. 15, 2024

“Some people think that conducting is just a combination of hand waving and keeping the beat,” says Mr. Choi.

From NewsForKids.net • Jul. 6, 2023

A man who had been walking his dog saw Jonah’s hand waving from the rubble and got help.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 22, 2022

I see a hand waving around the outside of the easel.

From "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.