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
Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
The singer has earned eight Grammy nods for Song of the Year, the most in the history of the category.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 6 Apr. 2026
This mint julep recipe nods to that tradition while adding a subtle citrus lift.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio was nominated in the Emerging Chef category, while both Norman Fenton of Cariño and Jacob Potashnick of Feld nabbed nods for Best Chef, Great Lakes.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Whispers ripple in astonishment, and nods of approval are seen throughout the audience.
—Zoe Bahjat, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Now 35, Smith brings experience, leadership, and a résumé that includes a Comeback Player of the Year award and Pro Bowl nods during his resurgence in Seattle.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
In interviews, the Artemis II crew members have expressed their hopes and optimism while also giving surprisingly candid nods to the realities of risk.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
These restaurant additions could earn stars, the most prestigious and sought-after of Michelin’s awards; bib gourmand awards, which indicate value; or nods as new and notable.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The black lacquer dial, which nods to the film’s noir aesthetic, has been simplified, with only a few references to Don Corleone.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 8 Apr. 2026
The singer has earned eight Grammy nods for Song of the Year, the most in the history of the category.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 6 Apr. 2026
This mint julep recipe nods to that tradition while adding a subtle citrus lift.
—Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Apr. 2026
Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio was nominated in the Emerging Chef category, while both Norman Fenton of Cariño and Jacob Potashnick of Feld nabbed nods for Best Chef, Great Lakes.
—Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2026
Whispers ripple in astonishment, and nods of approval are seen throughout the audience.
—Zoe Bahjat, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026
Now 35, Smith brings experience, leadership, and a résumé that includes a Comeback Player of the Year award and Pro Bowl nods during his resurgence in Seattle.
—Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Mar. 2026
In interviews, the Artemis II crew members have expressed their hopes and optimism while also giving surprisingly candid nods to the realities of risk.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026
These restaurant additions could earn stars, the most prestigious and sought-after of Michelin’s awards; bib gourmand awards, which indicate value; or nods as new and notable.
—Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 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
-
Olathe Schools shifted $44 million from its general fund to cover special education costs last year — a strain the superintendent says now forces staff reductions, leading to larger class sizes and fewer supports for every student, not just those with special needs.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Students enrolled in public schools can also benefit from scholarships that help pay for tutoring, specialized services, learning technology, transportation or other educational supports.—
Claudia Nachtigal,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Keep feet cozy and warm with plush slippers, cozy pajama sets, quick dry towels, velvet hair bows and more.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
At the end of the night, during the bows, Butler slaps the guys playing her two antagonists gently on their butts, a gesture that would have jarred in most stagings but fully in keeping with the inclusive, humanistic vibe of this production.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Sometimes that’s in the form of shakes, steaks, chicken, or fish.—
Sam Stone,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Apr. 2026
-
One couple told authorities that they had each been promised $300 per month to sign up for hospice care despite not being terminally ill and reported receiving unnecessary items such as nutritional shakes, non-prescription vitamins, and wheelchairs.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Semi-official Iranian agency Mehr News said multiple strikes had been reported on the island, to which Iran pumps almost all of its crude production through underwater pipelines for export.—
Sarah Dean,
NBC news,
7 Apr. 2026
-
The system diverts stormwater into a giant tank and then, at Fourteenth Street, pumps it out at up to three hundred and fifty million gallons a day, sending it on to the Newtown Creek wastewater facility.—
Eric Klinenberg,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The two men spoke with disdain for Europe, and Szijjártó agreed to help in removing an Uzbek-Russian oligarch’s sister from a European sanctions list.—
Kapil Komireddi,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Even if the war is over, the country's already ailing economy now faces dire trouble — though sanctions relief and compensation are also in Iran's 10-point plan.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is a beach house in the plushest sense, with a hot tub overlooking the bay for warming up after dips in the crystal-clear sea (Dog’s Bay is a two-minute drive), and cozy robes, fluffy towels, and slippers provided by the hosts.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Even small dips in vaccination rates can lead to the spread of disease.—
Kar-Hai Chu,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 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 12 Apr. 2026.
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