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
John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Joe Staley starred on the offensive line at Central Michigan and earned six Pro Bowl nods with the San Francisco 49ers and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Best Film Editing, as well as nods for its Cinematography, Art Direction, and Costume design, which were then separated into black-and-white and color categories.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
The campaign nods to archival Loro Piana communication from the 1990s and to campaigns dedicated to the precious dark Merino Pecora Nera wool, to its signature White Sole shoe, and to the Loro Piana Record Bale Award.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
There are not that many mother-daughter pairs who can both boast Oscar nods.
—Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Eric looks proud, Yasmin looks irate, and Pierre nods along.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
The photos appear to have been taken during Super Bowl LX, with one image overlooking Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California and other subtle game-day nods scattered throughout.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Even cursory nods to the pandemic as the root cause of neighbors turning against neighbors aren’t explored so much as they’re acknowledged, as if viewers are somehow unaware of the polarization plaguing America.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Bowe nods yes, and Knight then slips the ring on her finger.
—John Wawrow, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026
Joe Staley starred on the offensive line at Central Michigan and earned six Pro Bowl nods with the San Francisco 49ers and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
Best Film Editing, as well as nods for its Cinematography, Art Direction, and Costume design, which were then separated into black-and-white and color categories.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026
The campaign nods to archival Loro Piana communication from the 1990s and to campaigns dedicated to the precious dark Merino Pecora Nera wool, to its signature White Sole shoe, and to the Loro Piana Record Bale Award.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 16 Feb. 2026
There are not that many mother-daughter pairs who can both boast Oscar nods.
—Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Eric looks proud, Yasmin looks irate, and Pierre nods along.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026
The photos appear to have been taken during Super Bowl LX, with one image overlooking Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California and other subtle game-day nods scattered throughout.
—Caché McClay, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Even cursory nods to the pandemic as the root cause of neighbors turning against neighbors aren’t explored so much as they’re acknowledged, as if viewers are somehow unaware of the polarization plaguing America.
—Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 Feb. 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
-
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
-
The reader bobs along in the author’s stream of consciousness, riding crests of despair, anger, and hilarity as Toews assembles the shards of her past to investigate her will to write, which is deeply entwined with her will to live.—
Kristen Martin,
The Atlantic,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
LeBaron Moten, District 60’s deputy superintendent for operational supports and programs, or Eduardo Cesario, the deputy superintendent for academic supports and programs, will soon give their recommendations to Superintendent Theresa Plascencia for final consideration.—
Steve Sadin,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
-
In January, Provost William Inboden eliminated 23 staff positions within UT’s Academic Affairs office, shuttering key supports for faculty teaching, undergraduate research, community engagement and advising.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Being trained in combat, and armed with swords, spears, and bows and arrows, the gladiators were able to turn the tables on the wild beasts; the result was another predictable slaughter, in this case of the animals.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Voluminous outerwear, lots of layering, velvet, lace, bows and fringe were pervasive.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There's more to this alliance than a new flavor, though, because fans who attend Savannah Banana games this season will get a chance to score free shakes.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
20 Feb. 2026
-
The sleek control panel makes ice cream, shakes, smoothies, sorbet and gelato with the touch of a button.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hungary receives Russian crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Ukraine, but it is also connected to the Adria pipeline, which runs through Croatia and pumps non-Russian crude oil from the Adriatic coast.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Research has long shown that a constantly percolating stress response strains practically every body part, particularly your heart, which pumps harder and faster to ready you for action.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Following a brief sanctions shock after the 2022 invasion, Russian military spending surged, and its economy boomed.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Alongside peace talks conducted over the past year, the head of Russia’s state fund has frequently met with Witkoff to discuss massive economic deals including the acquisition of Russian energy assets and rare-earth mines, in exchange for bringing Russia sanctions relief.—
Elizabeth Shackelford,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Snacking may help prevent blood sugar dips and spikes that occur when meals are spaced too far apart.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Swapping yogurt for sour cream in dips or on tacos is another suggestion from Woods.—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The video suddenly jerks away as the vehicle starts to move and shots can be heard.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nods.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nods. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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