zag

1 of 2

noun

ˈzag

Synonyms of zag next

: one of the sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a zigzag course

: one of the short straight lines or sections of a zigzag course at an angle to a zig

: zig sense 2

zag

2 of 2

verb

zagged; zagging

intransitive verb

: to execute a zag

—usually contrasted with zig

Example Sentences

Verb the crowd roared as the clown on the bicycle zagged while the other clowns, in hot pursuit, zigged

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The vacuum has four cleaning modes (auto, zig zag, spot, and edge), which can be used to access different areas and target specific cleaning needs. —

Casey Clark, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2023 Some zig while the Zags zag. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2021 Miranda starts to say before making zig-zags with his hands. —

Nick Romano, EW.com, 5 Apr. 2023 This one takes the super-breathable, yet warmth-trapping zig-zag channels of the company’s R1 Air—ideal for cold-weather endurance pursuits—and styles it into a casual-looking crew. —

Lisa Jhung, Outside Online, 9 Feb. 2023 Go for diamonds of varying sizes, zig-zag lines, thin contrasting lines, or even a yellow and blue design. —

Rena Behar, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2023 Size Range: XXS-L Colorways: Blue Fabrication: 100% cotton Missoni's heritage zig-zag stripe gets the resort treatment thanks to the label's Mare line, featuring swim and beachwear with the house's iconic prints. —

Harper's BAZAAR, 27 Feb. 2023 Over the last year, he’s riffed on this shape in a bright-yellow spiral table lamp, a zig-zag lamp, and a floor lamp that looks like a giant stalk growing out of a pot. —

Diana Budds, Curbed, 4 June 2021 What attendees didn’t know at the time is that there was a new album in the can already: the rustic, quiet Cruel Country, another sharp left turn from a group that loves to zig when a zag is expected. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 1 June 2022

Verb

Another zig where others zag: Horizon is a blend of two liquids, a four-year-old bourbon (96%) and a six-year-old high rye (6%) that aims to combine the best of both worlds: bourbon’s famed sweetness with rye’s spike of spice, designed by Hirsch’s distilling team. —

Elva Ramirez, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2021 The Zazz Man continues to zag. —

Vulture, 12 Apr. 2023 Rihanna tends to zag when a zig is expected. —

Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2022 Even if there were antimissile bases pointed south, current antimissile technology is designed to intercept intercontinental ballistic warheads on predictable, parabolic paths in outer space — not hypersonic weapons that can zig and zag through the atmosphere. —

New York Times, 27 Oct. 2021 So when the neighborhood zigs, why not zag? —

Dominic Armato, The Arizona Republic, 25 Aug. 2020 After years of multiple outfit changes and heels, what would editors and influencers wear to zig-zag around a city by foot, bicycle, or train? —

Emily Farra, Vogue, 5 Jan. 2021 However, the show is supposed to unfold across five seasons, so there's plenty of time left for a zig to zag. —

Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 14 Jan. 2022 This summer, Sony continues to zig where other studios zag. —

Vulture, 15 July 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'zag.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.