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
Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
In fact, some of her face-framing braids were half-way unraveled, nodding to other braid trends like goddess braids and the hybrid sew-in bob.
—Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
Self clapped his hands and was on his feet nodding his approval over several key baskets down the stretch.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
Similarly, Canali’s presentation showed its strengths, with a collection of tonal neutrals, like brown suede and navy knits, nodding to the cozy, yet polished moments of a private club.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For companies, nodding to state-of-the-art technology and papering a corporate website in clip art of molecules is an indication that their product is the best, empirically.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Boglioli paid tribute to Milan, nodding to its different districts and portraying its fall 2026 collection in landmark spots across the city.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
There was much nodding of agreement onstage and off with at least one of Skarsgård’s sentiments.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026
At another school, volunteer Joe Dirkswager stood watch, nodding at passing vehicles.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 17 Jan. 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
The Austin location is designed with custom artwork nodding to the city’s street art culture.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
In fact, some of her face-framing braids were half-way unraveled, nodding to other braid trends like goddess braids and the hybrid sew-in bob.
—Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
Self clapped his hands and was on his feet nodding his approval over several key baskets down the stretch.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2026
Similarly, Canali’s presentation showed its strengths, with a collection of tonal neutrals, like brown suede and navy knits, nodding to the cozy, yet polished moments of a private club.
—Brett F. Braley-Palko, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
For companies, nodding to state-of-the-art technology and papering a corporate website in clip art of molecules is an indication that their product is the best, empirically.
—Ellen Cushing, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026
Boglioli paid tribute to Milan, nodding to its different districts and portraying its fall 2026 collection in landmark spots across the city.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
There was much nodding of agreement onstage and off with at least one of Skarsgård’s sentiments.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 19 Jan. 2026
At another school, volunteer Joe Dirkswager stood watch, nodding at passing vehicles.
—Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 17 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nodding
Verb
-
Still, the infant’s head can be seen bobbing up and down.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
20 Jan. 2026
-
SpaceX support crews stationed near the landing site quickly reached the gently bobbing spacecraft and hauled it aboard a company recovery ship where flight surgeons were standing by to carry out initial medical checks.—
William Harwood,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 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 Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are highly resistant to earthquake shaking, though some vulnerable structures exist.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
-
While Bryant was able to come from behind, the Lady Hornets had a hard time shaking off the Lady Warriors.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The building with its bowed windows and a Queen Ann tower had already been around for nine years before its owner placed a classified ad in a July 1897 issue of The Kansas City Times.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
19 Nov. 2025
-
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
Verb
-
Your adrenaline’s pumping [after] being out for a while.—
Daily News,
Daily News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
Lavrenov is still pumping his fist and yelling to no one in particular after an inspired play because of what the sport means to him.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nodding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nodding. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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