wave (someone) off

phrasal verb

waved (someone) off; waving (someone) off; waves (someone) off
: to move one's hand as a way of telling someone that one does not want help
We offered to help but he waved us off.

Examples of wave (someone) off in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Tecca certainly knows his way around a refrain that’s clever, melodic and hooky — and that’s part of the hitmaking process that far too many rappers tend to wave off as incidental in 2025. 4. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 24 June 2025 The damage Moicano put on his opponent forced the doctor to wave off the fight as Saint Denis’ right eye was nearly swollen shut. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025 The rematch ended six rounds into the fight, with Ramirez raising his hand 12 seconds into that round to wave off the fight. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025 And is there any way that Gibbs, Lala (Mariel Molino) or Franks (Kyle Schmid) can wave off the ambitious investigator, who sees this potentially explosive case as her ticket to an elusive JAG position? Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wave (someone) off

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Cite this Entry

“Wave (someone) off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wave%20%28someone%29%20off. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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