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
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
There are also mini shakes at $2 and many items held over from Del Taco’s last version of its value menu, Del’s Real Deals, which was introduced in July 2024.—
Fielding Buck,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
Liquid diets replace meals with shakes, soups, or beverages to sharply reduce calorie intake.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
10 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 memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran will address the regime’s nuclear program and sanctions relief, among other issues, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
In return, Iran would be relieved of the economic sanctions placed on the country.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
New Shoes’s philosophy centers around pairing an old-school treat with some new-school tricks, so the toppings and dips are a little untraditional and a lot of fun.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 June 2026
-
Over the same stretch, Amazon—the country’s single largest H-1B sponsor—along with Google and Microsoft, posted steep declines, with smaller dips at Meta and Apple.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
10 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 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
