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
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Conan O’Brien is once again hosting, having won raves for his performance last year.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Since around 2022 after the post-pandemic crossover of South African music genres, DJs have infused African sonic elements into house music, a subgenre of electronic dance music that has been a choice for raves in Lagos.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
What Costco Shoppers Think Other Costco fans have also been getting their hands on the new croissants, which have continued to win raves.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Since around 2022 after the post-pandemic crossover of South African music genres, DJs have infused African sonic elements into house music, a subgenre of electronic dance music that has been a choice for raves in Lagos.
—Ope Adetayo, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Sexton noted that it was used as far back as the 1790s as a recreational drug in Britain, and made a resurgence in recent decades at music festivals and raves in the United States and elsewhere.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
So, will there be more raves inside Abbey Road?
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Deshonne Redeaux and Shahn Alston earned raves from running backs coach Anthony Jones — and are very different.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Now, Riyadh hosts music concerts, desert raves, and a store where non-Muslims earning more than $159,000 a year are allowed to buy alcohol.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Every year, Oprah raves about her go-to comfortable clothing picks in her Favorite Things List.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Cristobal raves about the two edge rushers in Miami’s 2026 class — Venice (Florida) High’s Asharri Charles or Orlando Lake Nova’s DeAnthony Lafayette.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Still, Greenlaw’s been in constant communication with backup Justin Strnad in games he’s missed, and Bailey raves about his veteran presence behind closed doors.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
The group is returning to Michigan City after their audience raves in January 2025.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Along with the Michelin star, there were features in Oprah’s magazine, best new chef accolades, New York Times raves and James Beard nominations.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 29 Dec. 2025
Who knew the Academy was so into postapocalyptic desert raves?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Noun
Sinners casting director Francine Maisler found her central character in a musician without a Hollywood résumé, Miles Caton, while best international film and best sound nominee Sirat canvassed European raves for performers.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026
Conan O’Brien is once again hosting, having won raves for his performance last year.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2026
Since around 2022 after the post-pandemic crossover of South African music genres, DJs have infused African sonic elements into house music, a subgenre of electronic dance music that has been a choice for raves in Lagos.
—ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
What Costco Shoppers Think Other Costco fans have also been getting their hands on the new croissants, which have continued to win raves.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2026
Since around 2022 after the post-pandemic crossover of South African music genres, DJs have infused African sonic elements into house music, a subgenre of electronic dance music that has been a choice for raves in Lagos.
—Ope Adetayo, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2026
Sexton noted that it was used as far back as the 1790s as a recreational drug in Britain, and made a resurgence in recent decades at music festivals and raves in the United States and elsewhere.
—Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 26 Feb. 2026
So, will there be more raves inside Abbey Road?
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026
Deshonne Redeaux and Shahn Alston earned raves from running backs coach Anthony Jones — and are very different.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2026
Verb
Benji was also Osuna’s manager in winter ball and raves about him.
—Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 27 Feb. 2026
Now, Riyadh hosts music concerts, desert raves, and a store where non-Muslims earning more than $159,000 a year are allowed to buy alcohol.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Every year, Oprah raves about her go-to comfortable clothing picks in her Favorite Things List.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
Meanwhile, Cristobal raves about the two edge rushers in Miami’s 2026 class — Venice (Florida) High’s Asharri Charles or Orlando Lake Nova’s DeAnthony Lafayette.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2026
Still, Greenlaw’s been in constant communication with backup Justin Strnad in games he’s missed, and Bailey raves about his veteran presence behind closed doors.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
The group is returning to Michigan City after their audience raves in January 2025.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2026
Along with the Michelin star, there were features in Oprah’s magazine, best new chef accolades, New York Times raves and James Beard nominations.
—Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 29 Dec. 2025
Who knew the Academy was so into postapocalyptic desert raves?
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 19 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raves
Noun
-
Deep reading is a kind of literary applause.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The band lined up across the stage and took a bow to applause from the audience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the casting of her onscreen son could not have been better, the actress gushes.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Anthony and Kate’s whereabouts are alluded to in the opening minutes of the season four premiere, as the Bridgerton family gushes over Penelope (Nicola Coughlan) and Colin Bridgerton’s (Luke Newton) baby boy, Elliott.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But the night didn’t belong to just Flagg, a Maine native who grew up cheering for the Celtics and drew loud ovations from family, friends and fans who made the trip down to see him.—
Greg Dudek,
Boston Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The Mavericks rookie received an electric ovation from the home crowd at TD Garden, but those same Celtics fans delivered a raucous level of applause for Jayson Tatum, who played his first NBA game in 298 days since tearing his right Achilles.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 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
-
Beyond the star’s praise, the everyday pick boasts a versatile design and unique asymmetrical silhouette that’ll earn compliments galore.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
8 Mar. 2026
-
So far, the movie has drawn mixed reviews from critics, though most of them have nothing but praise for Buckley.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Donghwa—who’s revealed to be thirty-five—rhapsodizes about Oryeong’s devotion, and filial piety over all, although (and, perhaps, because) his own family bonds are strained.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
It was planned as a celebratory campaign kickoff — a filing-day ritual with cheering supporters and a nod to the long race ahead.—
Greg Bluestein,
AJC.com,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Scenes of jubilant cheering were reported from other cities as well.—
Kay Armin Serjoie,
Time,
1 Mar. 2026
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 14 Mar. 2026.
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