steepling

Touching fingertips together

Steepling is a hand gesture where the fingertips of both hands press together while the palms remain apart, forming a shape like a church steeple.

Body language experts associate it with confidence, authority, or deep thought.

She steepled her fingers and considered the proposal.

Common in negotiations, interviews, and moments of deliberation.

gesture

fingertips

Terminal phalanx pads

body-languagePhysical signals conveying meaning
nonverbalNot using speech
communicationExchanging ideas or information

interlocking · confidence · deliberation · contemplation · thinking · pondering · reflective · analysis · authority · assertiveness

prayer

worship

Religious reverence and praise

devotionDeep, loyal commitment
supplicationHumble plea for help
reverenceProfound admiring respect

meditation · hands · palms · fingers · piety · faith · intercession · invocation · blessing · contemplation

architecture

spire

Tapering architectural peak

pinnacleUtmost summit or spire
towerTall slender edifice
gothicDark, mysterious aesthetic

cathedral · church · skyline · silhouette · finial · cupola · belfry · pointed · tapering · soaring

Categories

body languagegestures, facial expressions, hand gestures, posture, nodding
hand positionsopen hand, closed hand, fist, flat hand, cupping

Opposites

hand position/gesture type

steeplingfolded hands

Fingers interlaced in stillness

clenched fists · palms together · prayer hands · hand-wringing · fidgeting

psychological signal

steeplinghand-wringing

Demonstrative display of distress

fidgeting · submissive posture · nail-biting · cowering · covering face

hand position

steeplingclasping

Holding something firmly

clenching fists · crossing arms · fidgeting · gripping

Family

steep, steeple, steeply, steeples, steepness, steeplechase, steepled, steepen, steepening

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G