dramatic, expansive, expressive, extravagant, flamboyant, melodramatic, rhetorical, sweeping, theatrical
She made an expansive gesture with her arms.

abrupt
subtle, vague
He responded with a vague gesture in the direction of the beach.

crude (esp. AmE), obscene, rude
angry, defiant, dismissive, threatening
helpless

make
The children made rude gestures at them.

by gesture
They communicate entirely by gesture.

in a gesture
He waved his arms in a melodramatic gesture.

with a gesture
She waved us away with an impatient gesture.

gesture of
a gesture of despair

kind, nice, sweet, thoughtful
I thought it was a nice gesture to send everyone a card.

bold
a bold gesture of reconciliation

simple
dramatic, extravagant, grand
He had the respect of his people without the need for grand gestures.

noble
conciliatory, friendly, goodwill
romantic
empty, small, symbolic, token
Words and empty gestures are not enough—we demand action!
a token gesture of their good intentions

futile
political

as a gesture
Several hostages were released as a goodwill gesture.

in a gesture
In a dramatic gesture, he threw the money on the table.

gesture against
The invasion attempt was intended as a political gesture against his opponents.

gesture of
His gift was a gesture of friendship.

gesture towards/toward
The president's speech was seen as a conciliatory gesture towards/toward former enemies.