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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
Her performance as the eccentric and self-obsessed school principal has earned James a 2026 Critics Choice Award for best supporting actress in a comedy series, as well as four Emmy nominations and nods at the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards and Gotham Awards.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 June 2026
This Madewell pair nods to the style's nautical roots without venturing into costume territory, thanks to its streamlined silhouette and rich leather construction.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
Nelson, who has blocked for Taylor throughout Taylor’s entire NFL career, has put together a Hall-of-Fame resume of his own with eight straight Pro Bowl nods to start his career.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 11 June 2026
The director of Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator has never won competitively despite four nominations, including Best Director nods for Thelma & Louise and Black Hawk Down.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Beyond showcasing emerging artists, the season also nods to broader cultural themes.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
Hence the name, which directly links to the brand’s signature Berenices handbag and nods to the same sculptural lines and suede-cum-supple leather construction.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Plus, see how her overall ensemble contains nods to both Queen Elizabeth and Sperling’s new mother-in-law, Princess Anne.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 June 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
For the coupe, the monstrous mill is displayed below a transparent panel that nods to the 1963 split-window Sting Ray.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 17 June 2026
Her performance as the eccentric and self-obsessed school principal has earned James a 2026 Critics Choice Award for best supporting actress in a comedy series, as well as four Emmy nominations and nods at the Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards and Gotham Awards.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 17 June 2026
This Madewell pair nods to the style's nautical roots without venturing into costume territory, thanks to its streamlined silhouette and rich leather construction.
—Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
Nelson, who has blocked for Taylor throughout Taylor’s entire NFL career, has put together a Hall-of-Fame resume of his own with eight straight Pro Bowl nods to start his career.
—James Boyd, New York Times, 11 June 2026
The director of Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator has never won competitively despite four nominations, including Best Director nods for Thelma & Louise and Black Hawk Down.
—Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
Beyond showcasing emerging artists, the season also nods to broader cultural themes.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 9 June 2026
Hence the name, which directly links to the brand’s signature Berenices handbag and nods to the same sculptural lines and suede-cum-supple leather construction.
—Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 9 June 2026
Plus, see how her overall ensemble contains nods to both Queen Elizabeth and Sperling’s new mother-in-law, Princess Anne.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 8 June 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
-
Structural issues in the roof have forced staff to install pipe jacks as temporary supports, and Leonard acknowledged the situation is unsustainable.—
Kevin Strong,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
If the county reinforces only the bridge but leaves the stream banks unstable, high-velocity water that caused the initial damage may continue to wash away the ground around the new supports.—
Sofia Montoya-Deck,
Baltimore Sun,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
Surprisingly few know much about the killing power of hunting bows.—
Fred Bear,
Outdoor Life,
11 June 2026
-
In this set, designs vary based on the size of the bowl; the larger size features a pattern of Hello Kitty's face, while the smaller size shows Hello Kitty surrounded by her iconic red bows.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 June 2026
Noun
-
Also on the menu is ice cream, sundaes, cookies a la mode, cookie sundaes, cookie ice cream sandwiches, shakes, and different seasonal creations throughout the year.—
Pamela Brown,
Hartford Courant,
19 June 2026
-
Now it’s found in a wide range of foods including shakes, bars, snacks, coffee, cereal, and dairy.—
Louis Biscotti,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
These outflows are a critical part of how a black hole pumps energy into its host galaxy and regulates its growth, according to Christopher Reynolds, a professor of astronomy at the University of Maryland, College Park, who was not involved with the study.—
Jacopo Prisco,
CNN Money,
16 June 2026
-
Gas pumps at a BP were torn out of the ground.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
The federal judge handling the case has scheduled a hearing for next month to determine whether federal prosecutors should face sanctions in the case.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Such lifting of sanctions all but guarantees that the Iranian regime will be bolstered mere months after protests brought it to the brink of collapse.—
Ruth Margalit,
New Yorker,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Cannabis is perishable—operators cannot stockpile inventory to smooth pricing cycles or ride out market dips.—
Peter Su,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Tap the team there for everything from aesthetics to dentistry, while taking regular dips in the enormous indoor pool or guided hikes through the hills of the Black Forest.—
Todd Plummer,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum Sarah Michelle Gellar strutted in the purple platform boots of the fashionable and upbeat Daphne Blake in both live-action Scooby-Doo flicks.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
14 June 2026
-
Capote, Moneyball, Foxcatcher, and then…no new Bennett Miller flicks.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nods. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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