head shake
Wordless negative gesture
A head shake is the side-to-side movement of the head indicating no, disapproval, or disbelief: She gave a head shake when asked if she wanted more.
A head shake can also express bewilderment or resignation without communicating to anyone in particular: He walked away with a slow head shake.
Opposite of yes
- refusalAct of declining
- rejectionDenial of acceptance
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
decline · nay · veto · dissent · objection · contradiction · rebuff · dismissal
State of being baffled
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- bafflementMental state of confusion
- perplexityMental state of confusion
- disbeliefRejection of truth claims
incomprehension · uncertainty · wonderment · mystification · incredulity · astonishment · doubt · questioning
Not using speech
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- movementChange in position
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
communication · motion · silent · indication · physical · nod · shrug · wave
Sadness from unmet expectations
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- disdainScornful disregard
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
condemnation · criticism · discontent · dissatisfaction · rebuke · judgment · tsk-tsk · tut-tutting
no
Opposite of yes
disagreement · decline · nay · veto · dissent · objection · contradiction · rebuff · dismissal · turndown
puzzlement
State of being baffled
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- bafflementMental state of confusion
- perplexityMental state of confusion
disbelief · incomprehension · uncertainty · wonderment · mystification · incredulity · astonishment · doubt · questioning · stumped
nonverbal
Not using speech
- body languageUnspoken physical expression
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- movementChange in position
expression · communication · motion · silent · indication · physical · nod · shrug · wave · gesticulation
disappointment
Sadness from unmet expectations
- displeasureMild anger or disapproval
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- disdainScornful disregard
censure · condemnation · criticism · discontent · dissatisfaction · rebuke · judgment · tsk-tsk · tut-tutting · chagrin
- frustration gesturesfacepalm, eye roll, heavy sigh, fist clench, foot stomp
- head and neck movementsnodding, neck rotation, turning, looking up, looking down
- rejection gesturespalm out, finger wag, crossed arms, dismissive wave, brush off
- nonmanualseyebrow raise, facial expression, eye gaze, furrowed brow, brow furrow
- binary statesyes, no, true, false, on
- disapprovaldisapproval, scowl, disapprove, disapproves, frown