as in bowing
bending downward or forward
some students, with nodding heads, were helplessly falling asleep during the boring lecture
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in bobbing
to make short up-and-down movements
though she couldn't see the rain, she knew it had started because she could see the flowers nod as raindrops hit them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nodding
Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021
Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
In response, Carr tweeted a GIF of Jack Nicholson nodding in what appeared to be confirmation.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Patel quipped, nodding to Biden’s use of an autopen to sign some documents — a White House practice conservatives have argued should invalidate many of the prior administration’s decisions.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
The clip, taken from the 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson, shows Redford in character as a rugged mountain man nodding in quiet approval—a moment that became a staple reaction meme across platforms.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The red pin features an orange hand and a black heart, nodding to Artists4Ceasefire, a pin that many wore on their lapels and gowns during the 2024 award season.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Eastern-style methods, including tongue and pulse diagnoses, along with the more Western-nodding body composition analysis, nutritional advice and detox regimens like the three-day program designed by tennis legend Novak Djokovic, enable guests to tailor their ideal wellness retreat.
—Terry Elward, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Nothing’s more awkward than everyone nodding along to a beat that’s barely audible.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
In December 2023, the school board passed a resolution vowing to rethink school choice and prioritize neighborhood schools, nodding to their role as vital community hubs.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.
—Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021
Verb
Whether its nodding to British brands, or paying homage to visiting leaders — like when Middleton wore Dior to welcome French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron to Windsor in July — her wardrobe selections consistently carry multiple meanings.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
In response, Carr tweeted a GIF of Jack Nicholson nodding in what appeared to be confirmation.
—Mikelle Street, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Patel quipped, nodding to Biden’s use of an autopen to sign some documents — a White House practice conservatives have argued should invalidate many of the prior administration’s decisions.
—Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 16 Sep. 2025
The clip, taken from the 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson, shows Redford in character as a rugged mountain man nodding in quiet approval—a moment that became a staple reaction meme across platforms.
—Hannah Parry
amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
The red pin features an orange hand and a black heart, nodding to Artists4Ceasefire, a pin that many wore on their lapels and gowns during the 2024 award season.
—Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Eastern-style methods, including tongue and pulse diagnoses, along with the more Western-nodding body composition analysis, nutritional advice and detox regimens like the three-day program designed by tennis legend Novak Djokovic, enable guests to tailor their ideal wellness retreat.
—Terry Elward, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Nothing’s more awkward than everyone nodding along to a beat that’s barely audible.
—PC Magazine, 10 Sep. 2025
In December 2023, the school board passed a resolution vowing to rethink school choice and prioritize neighborhood schools, nodding to their role as vital community hubs.
—Mila Koumpilova, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nodding
Verb
-
In a video Trump posted to a social media, a small boat can be seen bobbing the water before being struck, resulting in a cloud of black smoke.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Across the field, Granite Hills’ talented junior quarterback, Zac Benitez, chilled out, bobbing his head to tunes playing on his headphones.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
No racist stereotypes, no demeaning facial expressions, no bowed heads, and no broken bodies from the old Hollywood.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 July 2025
-
The composer also added synths to his orchestral score, as well as bowed metal, where a violin bow is rubbed against metal instruments like a cowbell or a Vibraphone, for when Roz has a particularly intense feeling.—
Mia Galuppo,
The Hollywood Reporter,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Seeing his father’s face flush and his hands start shaking, Grant asked what was wrong and Ben turned to look at Michael.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
-
Weak to light shaking was observed, with reports from cities such as San Mateo and San Francisco indicating that the earthquake was felt, according to the USGS DYFI report.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Verb
-
The ground is sinking because of excessive groundwater pumping in the San Simon Valley, an area with a long agricultural history and a recent boom in nut production.—
Clara Migoya,
AZCentral.com,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The blood-pumping thriller starts with a man and his young son arriving at a rave in the Moroccan outback looking for their daughter/sister.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nodding. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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