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
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Recent Examples of wag
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Upon the occasion of his seventh block, Ejiofor rolled back downcourt giving the crowd a Dikembe Mutumbo-esque finger wag.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Mar. 2026
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Dakota, a 3 ½-year-old Australian shepherd mix, bounced into the ring, her tail wagging.
—
Ross Mantle,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wag
Noun
These pre-conditions to talks were discussed at the EFL meeting, which just so happened to be held in The Belfry’s Masters Suite, or, as one wag put it, the room whose door is always open.
—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Upon the occasion of his seventh block, Ejiofor rolled back downcourt giving the crowd a Dikembe Mutumbo-esque finger wag.
—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
But in Croisette conversations about potential runners, riders and rovers, one mutt kept wagging its tail.
—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Dakota, a 3 ½-year-old Australian shepherd mix, bounced into the ring, her tail wagging.
—
Ross Mantle,
New York Times,
21 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Noun
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True to cargo-pant form, these capris have plenty of pockets, including two zippered side pockets and four flap cargo pockets deep enough to hold small essentials.
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But where some insiders fretted about the social blowback, Jenkins knew the flap was priceless marketing for the brand.
Noun
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The comedian posted on Instagram that he was diagnosed with HPV-positive tonsil cancer.
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The event will feature Jordanian musicians, comedians, dance and food as well as a watch party for Monday’s match.
Verb
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Right-back Jean-Kevin Duverne did brilliantly to beat his man and send in a low cross that Lenny Joseph tried to flick into the net, the ball going in off Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou for an own goal.
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Boxed into the corner by two Americans, Güler flicked the ball perfectly between Pulisic's legs and ran around him, creating the space necessary to start the final sequence.
Verb
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GiGi had been on the phone for the past hour, the receiver tucked between her head and her left shoulder, a Prince album playing loudly so Syl couldn’t hear her gossiping.
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This is often easier said than done – no one wants to be gossiped about.
Verb
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Fascinators — those bobbing bundles often of feathers, flowers and netting perched off-center of the wearer’s head — are banned here.
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Producers like Shungu, QThree, Mike Shabb, and Elsesser himself let their legato phrases repeat ad infinitum, gently bobbing like a dinghy in agitated waters.
Noun
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That quick-twitch juice shows in pads.
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Yeah, there was a twitch going on there.
Verb
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Any behavior requires a coordinated action across the brain—swing a baseball bat, complete a math problem—and the more the action is repeated, the more the associated neural pathways will strengthen.
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Ryan returned the favor in the fourth, getting Dalton Rushing, Freeland and Ohtani to all swing and miss.
Verb
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Robert, talk me through the thinking behind this framing.
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Seconds later, Hines-Allen decided she was done talking and shoved Bonner.
Cite this Entry
“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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