Synonyms of nodding

nodding 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnä-diŋ 

as in bowing

bending downward or forward

some students, with nodding heads, were helplessly falling asleep during the boring lecture

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bowing
• weeping
• bowed
• falling
• hanging
• dangling
• descending
• declined
• hung
• declining
• sagging
• drooping
• inclining
• floppy
• stooping
• pendulous
• descendant
• droopy
• sinking
• suspended
• dipping
• limp
• pendent
• slumping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• upright
• erect
• rigid
• stiff
• unbending
• inflexible
• elevated
• upraised
• raised

nodding

2 of 2

verb

present participle of nod

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

• bobbing
• shaking
• pumping
• jerking
• swaying
• wagging
• jogging
• bobbling
• jouncing
• seesawing
• ducking
• wiggling
• rocking
• swinging
• wobbling
• jiggling
• oscillating
• undulating
• dropping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nodding

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 Doomsday trailer, however, is light on plot and heavy on guys looking across rooms at each other and nodding or looking slightly confused. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 July 2026

Heads start nodding, bodies begin swaying, strangers lock into the same cadence, the same emotional vibes. — Bija Bennett, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

The 2016 animation featured cultural touchstones nodding to Polynesian culture and folklore, and those moments resonated with audiences. — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 July 2026

Then another, until heads were nodding across the screen, quietly, almost in unison. — Dr. Sarah Berg, Time, 9 July 2026

Miller’s exact dress from Debute London, which features a bustier top, lace trim, and a short hemline, is a great example of the details that turn the trend more contemporary, while still nodding to its nostalgic, charming nature. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 3 July 2026

Formalwear embraced a relaxed attitude, with most of the blazers coming collarless, or with mandarin collars and kimono-inspired, paired with looser-fit trousers nodding to pajamas. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 22 June 2026

From set pieces, Norway looked giant, with Leo Ostigard nodding in their third goal from a Martin Odegaard corner. — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 20 June 2026

Architect Hugo Toro’s design is best described as neo-Pullman, clearly nodding to the brand’s trains with Art Deco–style mirrors and deep, rich colors. — Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 19 June 2026