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
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
The player is expected to perform right away and do so with Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods along the way.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
There are also nods to El Bulli and some of its legendary kitchen cocktails, snacks, and that famous box of chocolates, all translated into Mirazur's energy.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2026
Herb, Planter, Grass Seed, and Rose are all nods to the Garden Center’s usual inventory, while Pallet and Lowe honor the store’s infrastructure and name directly.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
The revelation came as the cast discussed nods to Ford’s iconic past that were woven into the comedy's new season.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Dubbed Lost Key Cottage, the five-bedroom home will feature nods to the beloved movie.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
The newcomer nods to the jewelry watches created under the direction of Jeanne Toussaint in the early 1930s, with a sculptural form that is guaranteed to draw attention.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
City Council races in San Diego could be impacted by recent labor union endorsements, including District 2 candidate Nicole Crosby getting nods from the region’s largest labor organization and the city’s largest union.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2026
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
Jaquan Wright is known as Two Skin, a moniker that nods to his vitiligo skin disorder.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2026
The player is expected to perform right away and do so with Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods along the way.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2026
There are also nods to El Bulli and some of its legendary kitchen cocktails, snacks, and that famous box of chocolates, all translated into Mirazur's energy.
—Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2026
Herb, Planter, Grass Seed, and Rose are all nods to the Garden Center’s usual inventory, while Pallet and Lowe honor the store’s infrastructure and name directly.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 16 Apr. 2026
The revelation came as the cast discussed nods to Ford’s iconic past that were woven into the comedy's new season.
—Deirdre Durkan, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Dubbed Lost Key Cottage, the five-bedroom home will feature nods to the beloved movie.
—Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026
The newcomer nods to the jewelry watches created under the direction of Jeanne Toussaint in the early 1930s, with a sculptural form that is guaranteed to draw attention.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
City Council races in San Diego could be impacted by recent labor union endorsements, including District 2 candidate Nicole Crosby getting nods from the region’s largest labor organization and the city’s largest union.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 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
-
Think of vertical supports, like stakes or tomato cages, as must-have space-saving tools.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
19 Apr. 2026
-
As the peonies continue to grow, and then eventually bloom, the stems should grow up and through the various supports of the cage.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The black headphones feature two attachable black bows and an ear cushion embellished with symbols inspired by the singer’s music.—
Armando Tinoco,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This sweet peplum blouse features three front ties that can be styled into bows, short puff sleeves, and is available in black and a cheetah print as well.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While pitchers have that power, Marcello said the Marlins are already seeing fewer shakes since the start of the season.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The cafe opened in 2025 with barbari bread and lavash wrap sandwiches, tahini-date shakes and chai lattes, plus a full slate of events aimed at uplifting the local Persian community.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Though initially dismissed and even ridiculed, Mitchell went on to win the 1978 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his idea that a current of protons constantly flows into the cell as the cell vigorously pumps them back out, and that this is the driving force behind key cellular processes.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The Duchess of Sussex wore the Wolford hosiery with a khaki A-line dress by Australian brand Friends with Frank and black Manolo Blahnik pumps.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Under that deal, Iran agreed to let the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA, monitor its nuclear program to ensure limits on its enrichment activities were adhered to in return for a lifting of sanctions against the regime.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
More sanctions on Russia The EU has also been trying since February to push through a new raft of sanctions against Russia to undermine its war effort, but Hungary and Slovakia were also blocking those measures over the oil feud.—
Karel Janicek,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
MicroStockHub/Getty Images The mortgage rate dips that may have seemed like brief but temporary reprieves just a few weeks ago are starting to look more like a trend.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Oven mitts or snow gloves may have been used to prevent you from inadvertently clawing your skin off, while dips in oatmeal may have offered some temporary relief.—
Beth Mole,
ArsTechnica,
24 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 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
