as in applause
enthusiastic and usually public expression of approval
the books have received even more raves from parents than from the kids they were written for
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in gushes
to make an exaggerated display of affection or enthusiasm
she raved about the Mother's Day breakfast of cold coffee and burnt toast that her young children had proudly set before her
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in huffs
to talk loudly and wildly
a man stood outside city hall raving like a lunatic about his tax bill
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of raves
James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
However, the flaky, buttery croissants — traditional, chocolate, almond and ham-and-cheese — are the bestsellers that receive raves every morning.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
After a rousing premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it was acquired by Netflix, the film went on to make a strong showing at the New York, Mill Valley and most recently Middleburg film festivals, earning raves and deepening its resonance with every screening.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
AlUla has morphed from a sleepy archaeological site into Saudi Arabia’s adventure playground over the past decade, where visitors revel in raves and practice sunrise yoga in the same valley the Nabataeans once roamed.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke are among the ensemble cast of this Netflix thriller, which premiered to raves at Venice and received a cooler response at the New York Film Festival.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
The reviews have been the usual raves.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
In the 1980s and ‘90s, a subculture known as the Bunker People took over the tunnels, hosting unauthorized and often dangerous events here, from raves to weddings.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
There used to be raves there in the nineties, in this natural amphitheatre.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Luckel raves about how thick the pillow is, which plenty of reviewers on Amazon corroborate.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
DeBessonet’s revival opened last year at New York City Center to raves.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Teammates play off each other well, and head coach Jen Quinn raves about their tenacity.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Both of these candidates have solid platforms and neither one raves hysterically on social media, so do not look for my name on their list of endorsements.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
But this group’s ceiling hinges largely on former five-star prospect Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten; Taylor raves about Scott’s upside and said Moten has the ability to be the best defensive lineman in the country.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
For example, cream cheese and blueberry is a popular option, and Roberts raves about Buc-ee’s Sausage Cheese Jalapeño Kolache.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
My 17-year-old daughter raves about how trendy this denim look is.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
By day there are parades, rat control events, and grand juries to attend, but night is when the mayor comes alive, at crypto coin launch events, sweaty outer borough raves sponsored by a new credit card, and downtime at his pad in Fort Lee.
—James Folta, Literary Hub, 6 Nov. 2025
However, the flaky, buttery croissants — traditional, chocolate, almond and ham-and-cheese — are the bestsellers that receive raves every morning.
—Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025
After a rousing premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January, where it was acquired by Netflix, the film went on to make a strong showing at the New York, Mill Valley and most recently Middleburg film festivals, earning raves and deepening its resonance with every screening.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
AlUla has morphed from a sleepy archaeological site into Saudi Arabia’s adventure playground over the past decade, where visitors revel in raves and practice sunrise yoga in the same valley the Nabataeans once roamed.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Idris Elba, Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, and Jason Clarke are among the ensemble cast of this Netflix thriller, which premiered to raves at Venice and received a cooler response at the New York Film Festival.
—Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
The reviews have been the usual raves.
—Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
In the 1980s and ‘90s, a subculture known as the Bunker People took over the tunnels, hosting unauthorized and often dangerous events here, from raves to weddings.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
There used to be raves there in the nineties, in this natural amphitheatre.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
Ndiweni raves about how well prepared Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe and his staff were before the game.
—Nnamdi Onyeagwara, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Luckel raves about how thick the pillow is, which plenty of reviewers on Amazon corroborate.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2025
DeBessonet’s revival opened last year at New York City Center to raves.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Teammates play off each other well, and head coach Jen Quinn raves about their tenacity.
—Tom Mulherin, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
Both of these candidates have solid platforms and neither one raves hysterically on social media, so do not look for my name on their list of endorsements.
—Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025
But this group’s ceiling hinges largely on former five-star prospect Justin Scott and Ahmad Moten; Taylor raves about Scott’s upside and said Moten has the ability to be the best defensive lineman in the country.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
For example, cream cheese and blueberry is a popular option, and Roberts raves about Buc-ee’s Sausage Cheese Jalapeño Kolache.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025
My 17-year-old daughter raves about how trendy this denim look is.
—Chaunie Brusie, Parents, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raves
Noun
-
Public reactions were indicated by applause during the Holliday school children’s performances and the district’s recognitions.—
Connye Griffin,
Kansas City Star,
7 Jan. 2026
-
He was given a hero’s applause from fans of both clubs when he was invited onto the pitch at half-time.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Wilson gushes about Adebayo on Good Morning America.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
4 Dec. 2025
-
Daphne Nestled among the seafood joints and pub-grub eateries is this little farm-to-table outfit that DePledge gushes over.—
Zoe Baillargeon,
Travel + Leisure,
29 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The film garnered significant critical attention, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation on the Lido and later going on to win the inaugural International People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
6 Jan. 2026
-
Head departed to a magnificent ovation, having registered his first ever century at the SCG, completing the set of hundreds at every Australian Test venue in the process.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And his ultimate war is with Bob, a tech CEO who rants about his haters and has gotten rich off rebranded snake oil and whose obvious corruption has been obscured by his self-mythologizing.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
29 Aug. 2025
-
One grumbles when the driver rants about development’s ravages.—
Mark Ellwood,
Robb Report,
10 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
One that is more spiritually rewarding than praise or criticism in scouting reports.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Here in the United States, the writer and filmmaker Mike Judge has garnered praise over the course of his career for getting laughs out of broken systems and absurd ignorance in American culture.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
It was greeted by the sound of loud, sarcastic cheering by the old London Road end and by Malcolm Shotton, Oxford’s moustachioed coach, who could have used the Pringles logo as a passport photo, throwing his jacket into the crowd in sarcastic celebration.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2026
-
As the cheering faded, she could be heard sobbing, overcome by the frightening moments that had just passed.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
31 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Towelie enthuses amid shots of a town overrun by the military.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Raves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/raves. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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