make waves

phrase

: to create a stir or disturbance

… continues to make waves with his unique, highly opinionated approach.

—Suzanne Biallot

Examples of make waves in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Douglas and Engelhardt nod to artists such as the Crying Uncle Bluegrass Band, as well as recent IBMA new artist of the year winner Mason Via, as stellar talents already making waves in the bluegrass scene. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026

Another headline-making moment from Selasi’s recent runways was the rediscovery of 59-year-old model Evelyn Effrim-Botchey, who has since gone on to make waves on Paris’s most rarefied catwalks. — Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Zach Bryan is making waves online with a powerful cover of a fellow singer's country song. — David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

The advertisement billboard, which sits on the bustling 26th of July Axis in Cairo, made waves on social media as many people stopped their cars and pulled out their phones to record. — Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for make waves

• airwaves
• behaves
• enclaves
• architraves
• autoclaves
• microwaves
• braves
• caves
• craves
• knaves
• laves
• naves