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
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
ItalDesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the car’s smooth, flowing bodywork, which includes nods to several classic Bugattis, such as the Type 57 SC Atlantic and Type 41.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 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
Both Ben Johnson and Jeff Bridges got nods in the supporting actor’s category, while Cloris Leachman and Ellen Burstyn were finalists in the supporting actress category.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the postseason appearances, Snitker also oversaw two NL MVP winners, an NL Cy Young winner, three Rookie of the Year winners and numerous All-Star nods and other individual accolades.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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
ItalDesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the car’s smooth, flowing bodywork, which includes nods to several classic Bugattis, such as the Type 57 SC Atlantic and Type 41.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 30 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
Both Ben Johnson and Jeff Bridges got nods in the supporting actor’s category, while Cloris Leachman and Ellen Burstyn were finalists in the supporting actress category.
—Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Beyond the postseason appearances, Snitker also oversaw two NL MVP winners, an NL Cy Young winner, three Rookie of the Year winners and numerous All-Star nods and other individual accolades.
—Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 24 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
-
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
-
Family caregivers usually provide long-term services and supports, nearly all of which are unpaid, the research found.—
Lorie Konish,
CNBC,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
By the final bows, there’s an understanding that this is a story that deserves to be seen at this moment.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
-
At the spring 2026 collections last September and October, runway fantasies like bows and face paint seeped right off the runways and into the streets.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Original Chop Shop sells all-day breakfast, smoothie bowls, yogurt parfaits, protein shakes, salad, sandwiches and bowls.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Huel sells a range of protein shakes and drinks fortified with nutrients.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The two-stroke engine pumps about 90-110 decibels, 30 decibels above safe levels.—
Chris Hildreth,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Mar. 2026
-
During warmups, Celebrini pumps his fist in victory after playing rock-paper-scissors with kids along the glass.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The continent is reliant on energy imports, and is still reeling from an energy shock caused by the Russia-Ukraine war and sanctions on Russian exports.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
-
His secondary goal was to push for sanctions against Maduro and other high-ranking political and military officials in Venezuela after the president had cancelled the opposition’s victorious election results in the National Assembly.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One face is of marble and tall glass with a few neo- classical dips and angles, dignified, but probably more suitable for a post office out in the stern Midwest than an urban bayscape in South Florida.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The district saw significant dips in pre-K and kindergarten.—
Jessica Ma,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 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 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
