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
Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Overhead, a sculptural canopy nods to the winery’s iconic arch, tying together open-air tasting spaces, terraces, and gathering areas that keep the vineyards constantly in view.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Iger appeared at Disney’s pitch two years ago, and former CEO Bob Chapek did likewise in 2021, both nods to the changing of the guard in the company’s corner office.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 May 2026
The Cozy Cone Motel nods to the Wigwam motel chain, which once included seven locations from Kentucky to California.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Advertisement Acknowledging this out loud nods to something moms often hope their kids felt but rarely hear confirmed.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 7 May 2026
The launch of the guacamole coincides with a brand refresh for Tostitos, whose packaging recently underwent a modernized redesign that features nods to corn kernels and cobs tucked into the graphics.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Her The Wife nods and supports, all knowingly without deceiving the emotional truths of the narrative.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Its origins are a little muddy, but food historians believe black bottom pie dates back to the 1940s in Louisiana or Oklahoma, and suspect that its name nods to the dark, swampy land that lines the Mississippi River in those states.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The mural in Castle Rock nods to Colorado's 150th anniversary celebration.
—Olivia Young, CBS News, 13 May 2026
Overhead, a sculptural canopy nods to the winery’s iconic arch, tying together open-air tasting spaces, terraces, and gathering areas that keep the vineyards constantly in view.
—Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
Iger appeared at Disney’s pitch two years ago, and former CEO Bob Chapek did likewise in 2021, both nods to the changing of the guard in the company’s corner office.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 May 2026
The Cozy Cone Motel nods to the Wigwam motel chain, which once included seven locations from Kentucky to California.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
Advertisement Acknowledging this out loud nods to something moms often hope their kids felt but rarely hear confirmed.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 7 May 2026
The launch of the guacamole coincides with a brand refresh for Tostitos, whose packaging recently underwent a modernized redesign that features nods to corn kernels and cobs tucked into the graphics.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026
Her The Wife nods and supports, all knowingly without deceiving the emotional truths of the narrative.
—Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026
Its origins are a little muddy, but food historians believe black bottom pie dates back to the 1940s in Louisiana or Oklahoma, and suspect that its name nods to the dark, swampy land that lines the Mississippi River in those states.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 29 Apr. 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
-
The roughly 4,470-square-foot residence in the exclusive Haven Hill neighborhood is engineered with a steel structure that cantilevers over the hillside without visible corner supports.—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
11 May 2026
-
The district has had to evaluate all areas of spending and make challenging decisions in an effort to maintain overall fiscal stability while preserving core academic programming and student supports.—
Lisa Rozner,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
And bread lovers can turn to Gohar for a $278 silk baguette bag with satin bows.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
12 May 2026
-
The garment is associated with a distinctively feminine look, including accents such as lace, ruffles, appliques, marabou, bows and ribbons.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
As is obvious from packaging for everything from nutritional shakes all the way to children’s cereals and everyday snacks, today’s health-aware consumers view protein as not just a supplement but as a vital part of longevity, cognitive function, and immune support.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
-
Adding antioxidant-rich foods such as berries, leafy greens, seeds, and nuts can enhance the benefits of protein shakes and smoothies.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
5 May 2026
Verb
-
The life-support device − which pumps blood through an artificial lung, providing it with oxygen and returning it to the body − is hoped to relieve enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover, the reports add.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
-
Queen Camilla returned to her bespoke Eliot Zed pumps in soft black suede with a black leather toe cap, after wearing the same pair just days earlier at the Badminton Horse Trials.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Magyar recently claimed that several of Orbán’s top lieutenants are rushing to send their assets abroad, perhaps to avoid financial or legal sanctions, and that others have been shredding incriminating documents.—
Andrew Marantz,
New Yorker,
9 May 2026
-
The United States announced additional sanctions against Cuba, a move leaders in Miami's Cuban American community said is a step in the right direction.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and frequently swims outdoors, including dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
8 May 2026
-
Harry Styles uses ice baths for post-show recovery and mental clarity, and frequently engages in outdoor cold-water swimming, including notable dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths.—
Hanna Wickes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 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 15 May. 2026.
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