They had flung their knives hurriedly, almost as a mere gesture.

Stamina and muscle, not mere gestures, are at work here.

A mere gesture from the bejeweled consort would have meant death for all.

There is no wisdom in throwing away our lives to make a mere gesture.

The coroner also described the use of oxygen as "a mere gesture".

It is easy to pass this by as a mere political gesture, but those working to consolidate the initial effort take a different view.

But the gloomy old man would not make even the merest polite gesture in answer to the question.

The President, the Congress and the industry, however, seem eager to settle for mere gestures.

Unfortunately, in many of today's cities mere gestures are being made in this direction.

Bliss' prayers to the dead had not been a mere gesture.