Synonyms of wax

wax 1 of 2

verb (1)

1

as in to grease

to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction

waxing a surfboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grease
• oil
• lubricate
• slick
• wash
• wet
• soak
• water
• bathe
• drench
• douse
• souse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• roughen
• dry
• coarsen
• sear
• dehydrate
• parch

2

as in to cream

slang to defeat by a large margin

I can't believe I bet on a football team that ended up getting waxed 45-0

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cream
• whip
• skin
• trim
• bomb
• bury
• overcome
• dust
• shellac
• paste
• smoke
• throw
• master
• flatten
• upset
• blow away
• smother
• rout
• top
• beat
• annihilate
• thrash
• take
• snow under
• overwhelm
• skunk
• beat the pants off
• drub
• clobber
• eat alive
• cap
• run circles around
• sweep
• destroy
• trounce
• surpass
• score
• lick
• exceed
• wipe the floor with
• succeed
• best
• wallop
• worst
• whomp
• conquer
• whop
• whup
• dispatch
• better
• crush
• finish
• tromp
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• slaughter
• subdue
• surmount
• eclipse
• subjugate
• hurdle
• overtop
• overthrow
• vanquish
• knock over
• ace (out)
• transcend
• excel
• outdo
• overpower
• edge (out)
• flourish
• overbear
• outshine
• outstrip
• knock off
• outdistance
• pip
• break
• overmatch
• sink
• nose out
• upend
• outfight
• do in

wax

2 of 2

verb (2)

1

as in to increase

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

the commitment of the young volunteers to the cause seems to wax and wane

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• rise
• swell
• accelerate
• expand
• climb
• roll up
• accumulate
• multiply
• intensify
• spread
• mushroom
• mount
• balloon
• proliferate
• boom
• snowball
• gain
• build up
• enlarge
• surge
• appreciate
• escalate
• jump
• rocket
• burgeon
• bulk
• heighten
• peak
• puff (up)
• redouble
• inflate
• skyrocket
• blow up
• distend
• crest
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• contract
• diminish
• recede
• lessen
• wane
• dwindle

2

as in to become

to eventually have as a state or quality

waxed poetic whenever he wrote to his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• become
• get
• grow
• go
• come
• turn
• run
• change
• modify
• transform
• alter
• metamorphose
• transmute
• mutate
• transfigure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• be
• remain
• continue
• stay
• linger
• abide

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wax

Verb

Eid al-Fitr 2026 is expected to fall on the night of March 19 or March 20, depending on when spotters see the waxing crescent moon, according to Islamic Relief. —Mariyam Muhammad, Oklahoman, 18 Mar. 2026

However, before Kemper could wax poetic about the importance of a film's score, the stars were handed notes from the audience. —Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Mar. 2026

Though when he’s finally seen in full evil flight, the actor is arguably allowed to wax a little too cute about it. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

The formula looks promising, and Kidman’s hair is testament enough (for me, at least), but hundreds of shoppers have waxed poetic about Virtue’s Damage Reverse Serum, too. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026

Phrases Containing wax

• ball of wax