as in bobs
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 nods
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Her The Wife nods and supports, all knowingly without deceiving the emotional truths of the narrative.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Its origins are a little muddy, but food historians believe black bottom pie dates back to the 1940s in Louisiana or Oklahoma, and suspect that its name nods to the dark, swampy land that lines the Mississippi River in those states.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
And muerto nods to their culture, where death is not a morbid subject.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The bar’s signature Brunello Bloody Mary nods to the hotel’s long-standing history as the drink's inventors and remains a house classic, richer and more savory than most, thanks to the wine-forward twist.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Other nods to motorsport include carbon fiber elements, red accents, and a custom windshield frame in Ferrari’s famous Giallo Modena yellow.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
The park nods to his legacy with Lamar’s Libations, a refreshment stand named in his honor.
—Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The Crew-13 mission patch includes visual nods to the insignia worn by Apollo 13 astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert in April 1970.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The launch of the guacamole coincides with a brand refresh for Tostitos, whose packaging recently underwent a modernized redesign that features nods to corn kernels and cobs tucked into the graphics.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Her The Wife nods and supports, all knowingly without deceiving the emotional truths of the narrative.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Its origins are a little muddy, but food historians believe black bottom pie dates back to the 1940s in Louisiana or Oklahoma, and suspect that its name nods to the dark, swampy land that lines the Mississippi River in those states.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
And muerto nods to their culture, where death is not a morbid subject.
—Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
The bar’s signature Brunello Bloody Mary nods to the hotel’s long-standing history as the drink's inventors and remains a house classic, richer and more savory than most, thanks to the wine-forward twist.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026
Other nods to motorsport include carbon fiber elements, red accents, and a custom windshield frame in Ferrari’s famous Giallo Modena yellow.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 28 Apr. 2026
The park nods to his legacy with Lamar’s Libations, a refreshment stand named in his honor.
—Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2026
The Crew-13 mission patch includes visual nods to the insignia worn by Apollo 13 astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert in April 1970.
—Robert Pearlman, ArsTechnica, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
Released in 2024, the uniforms have multiple nods to car culture, including a tire mark down the middle of the jersey and a nod to Woodward Ave on the sleeve.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nods
Verb
-
Her head bobs gently, then sharply tilts at specific moments, particularly when certain words cut through the stream of conversation.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Just after lunchtime on a Saturday in November, a sea of purple braids bobs in unison, barely clearing the tops of the movie-theater seats behind them.—
Eliza Berman,
Time,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Practical supports, like childcare and debt relief, are also essential to ensure more residents can fully participate in the economy.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
-
Indeterminate tomatoes grow big and need sturdy supports or trellises to keep them in line.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Small blue bows were added to the bodice of the dress and at the waist, cascading in bunches.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
-
There were also shots of the Funny Girl star standing alone, as well as some of a white cake with pink bows all around.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
As is obvious from packaging for everything from nutritional shakes all the way to children’s cereals and everyday snacks, today’s health-aware consumers view protein as not just a supplement but as a vital part of longevity, cognitive function, and immune support.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Adding antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, leafy greens, seeds, and nuts can enhance the benefits of protein shakes and smoothies.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
Hypermart pumps, and off-brand gas stations, offered the same gasoline at far cheaper prices, as much as 80 cents in recent weeks, according to the agency.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
6 May 2026
-
Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff pumps his fist after the Sabres' 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 6 of their first-round series at TD Garden in Boston on Friday.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Magyar recently claimed that several of Orbán’s top lieutenants are rushing to send their assets abroad, perhaps to avoid financial or legal sanctions, and that others have been shredding incriminating documents.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The United States announced additional sanctions against Cuba, a move leaders in Miami's Cuban American community said is a step in the right direction.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and frequently swims outdoors, including dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
-
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and mental clarity, and frequently engages in outdoor cold-water swimming, including notable dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
In a viral video of the aftermath, the robot jerks back and forth to shake the glass off, showering yet more dangerous shards onto the sidewalk.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nods. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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