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
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Recent Examples of nods
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Andreeva listens and nods, then returns to self-hate too often.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
There are respectful blink-and-you’ll-miss-them nods to the tournament’s other co-hosts, Mexico and Canada – some flags, maple syrup and a guacamole dip – and the French even found a way to shout out some of their sponsors and partners.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
The dining room features nods to the brand, including black-and-white photos of famous silhouettes, a reproduction of René Bouché’s portrait of Christian Dior, and artwork by Chinese artist Hong Hao that adds bright red accents.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
And to remember his older brother Lawrence, who passed away in 2020 from colon cancer, Southern Office—with hints of oakmoss—nods to their roots.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
In hours of underwater video footage from a New York aquarium, a beluga whale named Natasha stretches her neck, pirouettes, nods, and shakes her head in front of a two-way mirror.
—Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 24 May 2026
More surprisingly, the first thing Everett does is blame anti-vaxxers, and Rip just nods along.
—William Earl, Variety, 22 May 2026
The property even includes nods to the home's original owners.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 May 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The result is a building that is both elegant and refined, at once a part of and apart from its surroundings—and one that deftly nods to both France and Italy in myriad ways.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Andreeva listens and nods, then returns to self-hate too often.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
There are respectful blink-and-you’ll-miss-them nods to the tournament’s other co-hosts, Mexico and Canada – some flags, maple syrup and a guacamole dip – and the French even found a way to shout out some of their sponsors and partners.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
The dining room features nods to the brand, including black-and-white photos of famous silhouettes, a reproduction of René Bouché’s portrait of Christian Dior, and artwork by Chinese artist Hong Hao that adds bright red accents.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
And to remember his older brother Lawrence, who passed away in 2020 from colon cancer, Southern Office—with hints of oakmoss—nods to their roots.
—Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 May 2026
In hours of underwater video footage from a New York aquarium, a beluga whale named Natasha stretches her neck, pirouettes, nods, and shakes her head in front of a two-way mirror.
—Federica Sgorbissa, ArsTechnica, 24 May 2026
More surprisingly, the first thing Everett does is blame anti-vaxxers, and Rip just nods along.
—William Earl, Variety, 22 May 2026
The property even includes nods to the home's original owners.
—Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 May 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
-
In another Amsterdam photo, a pair of identical world globes, recalling Ghirri’s passion for cartography and atlases, rest on matching supports to conjure that oldest of surrealist tropes, a pair of staring eyes.—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
During the restoration assessment process, experts and conservators have discovered corrosion affecting some internal metal supports beneath the fiberglass exterior.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
Those who were in the trenches with me might recall the adorable Sandy Liang Baggu with bows (which are now resold on eBay) selling out almost instantly, with many DIYers opting to add ribbon to the straps of their Mini Nylon Shoulder Bags in response.—
Jessie Quinn,
StyleCaster,
3 June 2026
-
Napoleonic tailoring is reworked through a modern lens, and ruffled necklines and opulent bows overtake more demure details.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
That could be Emerald City fans — as several Seahawks games have registered such shakes as well.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
-
Other drinks served include teas, energy drinks, matchas, lemonade, shakes, sodas and smoothies.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Congratulations are in order for Dua Lipa, who married Callum Turner over the weekend at a courthouse ceremony in London wearing a Schiaparelli suit with Christian Louboutin pumps to complete her all-white look — but those heels are far from the only shoes the British musician owns.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
3 June 2026
-
My chest feels tight as my heart pumps against the elevation, though some of this sensation may simply be awe.—
Alexandra Oliva
June 1,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The idea that one wrong word or departure from campus orthodoxy could yield outsize punishments and social sanctions.—
Ingrid A. Nelson,
The Conversation,
29 May 2026
-
The State Department and the Treasury Department both announced new sanctions on Iran’s oil trade yesterday despite ongoing negotiations to reach a deal to end the conflict.—
Jay Ganglani,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
The glass container has a pour spout and a spray nozzle so users can fill it up with the oil of their choice to grease pans or top dips.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
30 May 2026
-
Steyer’s boost comes as the poll shows fleeting support for Democrat candidates Katie Porter and Matt Mahan, who saw dips of five and three percentage points, respectively.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
30 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 6 Jun. 2026.
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