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
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Recent Examples of nodding
Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021
Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
Named after Argentine slang for the protein powder and pill cocktail that gym bros use to bulk up fast, and nodding to their own rapid rise, PAPOTA smartly distilled newfound fame into self-critique.
—Maria Nenet Barrios, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Wrapped around the walls of the dining room is a custom mural by artist Emily Parkinson, nodding to the city’s most influential and beloved restaurants and chefs.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Chalamet got into character for the New York premiere of A Complete Unknown, nodding to Dylan in a layered Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane outfit and new strawberry-blonde bangs.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
This mini dress pairs classic white polka dots with a nautical navy base, nodding to the breezy sailor-chic trend while remaining versatile enough to wear as a beach cover-up, a sunny sightseeing outfit, or for leisurely island walks.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Within minutes, Vicario had conceded Spurs’ fourth, with Robin Le Normand nodding over the line after the Italian had made a sharp save.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Savannah Guthrie delivered an emotional message asking for information on her mother, while nodding to the dire circumstances surrounding her absence.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Cameras showed audience members nodding along, shaking their shoulders and otherwise getting into the music.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Feb. 2026
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
Not long after, Grupo Frontera invited Pulido to perform both songs with them at a concert in Edinburg, nodding to the intergenerational success of musica mexicana.
—Isabella Gomez Sarmiento, NPR, 24 Mar. 2026
Named after Argentine slang for the protein powder and pill cocktail that gym bros use to bulk up fast, and nodding to their own rapid rise, PAPOTA smartly distilled newfound fame into self-critique.
—Maria Nenet Barrios, Pitchfork, 19 Mar. 2026
Wrapped around the walls of the dining room is a custom mural by artist Emily Parkinson, nodding to the city’s most influential and beloved restaurants and chefs.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2026
Chalamet got into character for the New York premiere of A Complete Unknown, nodding to Dylan in a layered Celine Homme by Hedi Slimane outfit and new strawberry-blonde bangs.
—Amber Rambharose, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
This mini dress pairs classic white polka dots with a nautical navy base, nodding to the breezy sailor-chic trend while remaining versatile enough to wear as a beach cover-up, a sunny sightseeing outfit, or for leisurely island walks.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 12 Mar. 2026
Within minutes, Vicario had conceded Spurs’ fourth, with Robin Le Normand nodding over the line after the Italian had made a sharp save.
—Dan Kilpatrick, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Savannah Guthrie delivered an emotional message asking for information on her mother, while nodding to the dire circumstances surrounding her absence.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 26 Feb. 2026
Cameras showed audience members nodding along, shaking their shoulders and otherwise getting into the music.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 22 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nodding
Verb
-
Rare was the creative artist, post-1970, who wasn’t churned up by bobbing in the Beatles’ wake.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Little wonder, then, that the 2026 Padres are viewed as a sea-level performer, bobbing in San Diego Bay.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
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
-
Structure information summary Most structures in this region are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The fine powder is very messy to work with, however, so simply shaking it onto your chain wouldn't be practical.—
Ben Coxworth
March 27,
New Atlas,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With bowed heads, friends and classmates wrapped their arms around each other.—
Keri Heath,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Instead of your standard dress shoes, Styles finished the look with a perfect pair of minty-green ballet flats with bowed laces.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Recent studies in the New England Journal of Medicine previously showed that starting beta-blockers soon after a heart attack did not improve major outcomes for certain patients with normal heart pumping function.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
30 Mar. 2026
-
In a second, shorter video also shared to social media, Kid Rock is seen from a different angle pumping his fist at the first helicopter outside his house.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nodding. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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