as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down
the dog gave its tail a single wag before it flopped back down
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor
some wag wrote a droll satire on the scandal for the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to flap
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions
the cat's tail wagged back and forth in annoyance
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to gossip
to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature
tongues will wag as soon as word of the house's selling price gets around
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of wag
Stephen Colbert, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Internet wags have wondered whether Gunn’s kindliness extends to malevolent immigrants like General Zod.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
That includes Gerrit Cole, who infamously wagged his finger at the Mariners’ bench and fired a high, 0-2 fastball at Caballero back in June 2023 when the hitter played for Seattle.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Noun
Can anyone read that much Tynan without adopting his native tongue wag?
—Stephen Colbert, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Internet wags have wondered whether Gunn’s kindliness extends to malevolent immigrants like General Zod.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
Verb
The pair shared curious stares and wagged tails throughout the three-hour journey, delighting those seated nearby.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
That includes Gerrit Cole, who infamously wagged his finger at the Mariners’ bench and fired a high, 0-2 fastball at Caballero back in June 2023 when the hitter played for Seattle.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
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Birds can soar through the sky for long periods without flapping their wings.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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Well, the 23-year-old Belgian was among Europe’s best shot-stopping goalkeepers last season, is quick off his line and appears to be pretty composed, which would be ideal around his two flapping new goalkeeper team mates.—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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A couple is having their pre-show Manhattans; a group of friends is gossiping over martinis and shrimp cocktail.—
Paul Brady,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Aug. 2025
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Researchers found that both same-gender and different-gender couples gossiped for about 38 minutes a day individually and 29 minutes a day together.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The concert film captures Mitski alongside a seven-piece band, bobbing in and out of a beaming spotlight and dark shadows.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
8 Sep. 2025
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Peacocks roam around the lush grounds and peer at guests bobbing by in a tube on the lazy river.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While you guys had staff inside laughing, pointing and even flicking off the crowd outside.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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Osaka said her fighting victory over Liudmila Samsonova in Montreal flicked a switch that lit the spark.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Ricardo Torres talked to them about their plans to rebuild.—
Hope Karnopp,
jsonline.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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According to testimony, Polk identified herself as Zarnowitz's niece and mentioned him as her dad when talking to a credit card company about a credit card in his name that was opened after his death.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On back-to-back pass plays, though, Ward held the ball too long and couldn’t shake the Broncos’ pass rush, resulting in back-to-back sacks that took the Titans outside field goal range.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
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After a while, the lady shook her head.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jones’ raw traits have always been jaw-dropping — a 6-foot-6 defensive end who can combine an edge rusher’s twitch with an interior lineman’s power.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
30 Aug. 2025
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Koberidze opens with a montage of cats, foot traffic, street dogs twitching in their sleep, statues and trees casting long shadows across buildings.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Travelers can expect to sail past incredible vistas of fjords and towering glaciers, or get their hearts pumping with a requisite polar plunge, diving into the icy waters for the ultimate rush.—
Katie Nadworny,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
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In another shot, Elordi is seen dancing solo while pumping his fists in the air.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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