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
Relevance
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
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 raves
Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 Oct. 2025
As Bennett ended his college journey six years later, the circle of life sprang up, another scout-team quarterback drawing raves during a Georgia Playoff run.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
There used to be raves there in the nineties, in this natural amphitheatre.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Brider’s kitchen quickly drew raves for its eclectic fare, such as its Cajun shrimp sandwiches, quinoa salads and hearty meatballs and porchetta dishes.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
The routine earned raves from judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
The notices range from glowing and effusive raves to somewhat disappointed takes (and one that’s outright scathing).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Back in January and February, Frank's had diners lined up in the cold, reeled in by raves on TikTok and Instagram.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
There would soon be raves from the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and other publications.
—Megan Marshall
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 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
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
As Bennett ended his college journey six years later, the circle of life sprang up, another scout-team quarterback drawing raves during a Georgia Playoff run.
—Seth Emerson, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
There used to be raves there in the nineties, in this natural amphitheatre.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Brider’s kitchen quickly drew raves for its eclectic fare, such as its Cajun shrimp sandwiches, quinoa salads and hearty meatballs and porchetta dishes.
—Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 10 Oct. 2025
The routine earned raves from judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
The notices range from glowing and effusive raves to somewhat disappointed takes (and one that’s outright scathing).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Oct. 2025
Back in January and February, Frank's had diners lined up in the cold, reeled in by raves on TikTok and Instagram.
—Neal Rubin, Freep.com, 27 Sep. 2025
There would soon be raves from the New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times, and other publications.
—Megan Marshall
september 25, Literary Hub, 25 Sep. 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
-
Fake applause, no support or faithful and never switching.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
-
The universal love is the applause, either heard in person or received from afar, a love reinforced by the sense of an instant, intimate family—a life backstage or in the trailer, far more interesting than the often unhappy family left behind.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then a leak above the family’s apartment opens a giant hole in the ceiling, and water gushes through.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The songwriter frequently gushes about being a grandmother on social media and in interviews.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
For almost three hours, at the invitation-only ceremony, the three inductees were celebrated with words, song and ovations in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s intimate CMA Theater.—
Nancy Kruh,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
-
The standing ovation for Sullivan’s save mattered.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
18 Oct. 2025
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
-
Of his first impressions of his future wife, Plemons had nothing but praise.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Orange juice often gets praise for its immune-supporting vitamin C content.—
Abby Norman,
Verywell Health,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Leaning from the windows, the passengers smiled and waved to cheering crowds eagerly awaiting their return.—
Elmira Aliieva,
NBC news,
14 Oct. 2025
-
Demented cheering was broadcast on social media so loudly that many not-terribly-political Americans took notice.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 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 22 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share