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
John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
An archive piece from a 1992 couture collection, the gown drew raves as the perfect look for Roberts’ triumphant evening.
—Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Letellier has played his techno dance music for hundreds of raves around the world; this is only his second film score.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
The special-edition bag has earned raves so far, especially from Disney tourists.
—Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney The Irish Oscar nominee, currently winning yet more raves with Hamnet, will take the part of the Liverpudlian bassist, keyboardist, and singer-songwriter.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Below, find the roars and raves for Zootopia 2.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
Everyone was into raves and dubstep.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
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
Luckel raves about how thick the pillow is, which plenty of reviewers on Amazon corroborate.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Dec. 2025
Shipin also raves about its flexibility and speed.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
In a preview clip from fellow GH star Maurice Benard's State of Mind podcast (first reported by Swooon), Francis raves about Shriner.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Nov. 2025
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
Noun
Kumako also wins raves for the crispy gyoza made fresh daily, so consider sharing a plate.
—John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
An archive piece from a 1992 couture collection, the gown drew raves as the perfect look for Roberts’ triumphant evening.
—Laurie Brookins, HollywoodReporter, 19 Jan. 2026
Washington Post food critic Elazar Sontag entertains your restaurant questions, rants and raves.
—Elazar Sontag, Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Letellier has played his techno dance music for hundreds of raves around the world; this is only his second film score.
—Jon Burlingame, Variety, 12 Jan. 2026
The special-edition bag has earned raves so far, especially from Disney tourists.
—Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025
Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney The Irish Oscar nominee, currently winning yet more raves with Hamnet, will take the part of the Liverpudlian bassist, keyboardist, and singer-songwriter.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2025
Below, find the roars and raves for Zootopia 2.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
Everyone was into raves and dubstep.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Nov. 2025
Verb
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
Luckel raves about how thick the pillow is, which plenty of reviewers on Amazon corroborate.
—Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 18 Dec. 2025
Shipin also raves about its flexibility and speed.
—Annie Blackman, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
In a preview clip from fellow GH star Maurice Benard's State of Mind podcast (first reported by Swooon), Francis raves about Shriner.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for raves
Noun
-
Laughter, gasps and applause are not uncommon, according to defectors and foreign visitors who have attended such events.—
Will Ripley,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The plea led to some applause in the crowd.—
Staff,
FOXNews.com,
21 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
-
In his final professional game in Chicago, Michael Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation during player introductions.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
-
There were tears, cheers, a few standing ovations (for Michelle Satter and Amy Redford), a surprise performance by Patti LuPone, and a slew of awards presented during a nearly three-hour fundraiser held at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Park City, Utah.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
24 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
-
The cheering crowd was led by NASA’s new administrator, Jared Isaacman, and all four astronauts assigned to the mission.—
Marcia Dunn,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Jan. 2026
-
In the front row, poolside, Alli’s parents and siblings had sat whooping and cheering.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
17 Jan. 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 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
