nonverbally
Through gestures alone
Through means other than spoken or written words—typically through gesture, facial expression, body language, or touch.
She communicated her disapproval nonverbally, with a single raised eyebrow.
The term appears often in discussions of interpersonal communication, where nonverbal signals may reinforce or contradict what someone says aloud.
Body position, alignment
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- facial expressionsVisible emotional displays
- gesturesExpressive body movements
- kinesicsStudy of gesture meaning
haptics · microexpressions · gait · mimicry · emblems · illustrators · regulators · adaptors
Not verbally expressed
- implicitUnderstood without being stated
- understoodGrasped the meaning
- assumedTaken as true
- impliedSuggested without stating
wordless · unsaid · unexpressed · unstated · silent · inferred · indirect · unarticulated
Oscillating motion through medium
- nodBrief head tilt
- shrugShoulder gesture of uncertainty
- pointExact location or meaning
- beckonSignal to approach
salute · bow · curtsy · thumbs-up · high-five · fist-bump · handshake · namaste
Communicate or transport
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- indicateSignal or point to
- expressState or fast train
- implyIndicate without stating
suggest · transmit · relay · impart · manifest · demonstrate · show · telegraph
Pleased facial expression
- frownDisapproving facial expression
- smirkPleased, superior smile
- winkBrief one-eyed closure
- grimaceTwisted expression of displeasure
pout · glare · scowl · grin · sneer · eyebrow raise · squint · eye roll
Without uttering sounds
- mutelyWithout vocal expression
- soundlesslyWithout any audible output
- speechlesslyWithout uttering sound
- quietlyWithout making noise
in silence · voicelessly · tacitly · reticently · unverbalized
posture
Body position, alignment
- eye contactDirect visual connection
- facial expressionsVisible emotional displays
- gesturesExpressive body movements
kinesics · haptics · microexpressions · gait · mimicry · emblems · illustrators · regulators · adaptors · leakage
unspoken
Not verbally expressed
- implicitUnderstood without being stated
- understoodGrasped the meaning
- assumedTaken as true
implied · wordless · unsaid · unexpressed · unstated · silent · inferred · indirect · unarticulated · subtext
wave
Oscillating motion through medium
beckon · salute · bow · curtsy · thumbs-up · high-five · fist-bump · handshake · namaste · kowtow
convey
Communicate or transport
imply · suggest · transmit · relay · impart · manifest · demonstrate · show · telegraph · project
smile
Pleased facial expression
grimace · pout · glare · scowl · grin · sneer · eyebrow raise · squint · eye roll · blush
wordlessly
Without uttering sounds
- mutelyWithout vocal expression
- soundlesslyWithout any audible output
- speechlesslyWithout uttering sound
quietly · in silence · voicelessly · tacitly · reticently · unverbalized
nonverballyverbally
By means of speech
orally · vocally · aloud · in writing · linguistically
- nonverbal cuesUnspoken communication signals
- nonverbal expressionCommunication without words
- nonverbal communicationWordless transmission of meaning
- nonverbal signalsCommunication without speech
- nonverbal autismNeurodevelopmental condition without speech