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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of wag
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
Once returned to their moms, Lizzie and Bambie were all wags.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Start your new year with love, cuddles and wagging tails!
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Noun
This adorable costume looks poised to rule over The Masked Singer stage with a flick of her paw and a wag of her stumpy tail.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Jan. 2026
Once returned to their moms, Lizzie and Bambie were all wags.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
Dogs who once shook with fear are beginning to wag their tails.
—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 29 Dec. 2025
Start your new year with love, cuddles and wagging tails!
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
-
Many readers will remember the MetaFly, a remote-control robotic insect that flies by actually flapping its wings.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Scheffler trailed by two strokes before unleashing a 6-iron on his 18th-hole approach, leaving just 2 feet, 7 inches for an eagle putt that was slightly complicated by wind gusts flapping his navy pants.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There were no street-style fits or social media postings, just vaping and gossiping and patiently waiting to be let in to dance.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
15 Feb. 2026
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They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Picture a waterfront bustling with bobbing fishing boats and the air tinged with the scent of fresh seafood, as San Hing Praya Street and Pak She Praya Road dish out alfresco dining scenes straight out of a sunset lover's dream.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Harbor seals and otters bob in the waves, and, a little further offshore, whale spouts rise above the water.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bedard had a wide-open net and flicked in just the second power-play goal of his career.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Just a bit self-conscious, and sometimes the hair flicking and all that.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But please talk to us instead of just making more or less random statements on social media.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
23 Feb. 2026
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For me, skiing is more about effort than fun—schlepping gear, attempting to not freeze, talking myself down from a fear of heights.—
Claire Sibonney,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As information has slowly revealed more about the ski trip and those who died in the devastating avalanche, grief has shaken communities across the region.—
Grace Toohey,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Knight shook her head and reiterated that this was indeed her final Olympic game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The film uses music, the clippity-clop of hooves and twitching furry ears for her three donkeys — Palaye, Ruperto, Palomo — to surf critical acclaim on the film festival circuit to the upcoming Academy Awards.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Feb. 2026
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Baby Briana’s arms twitched and legs flopped against cold concrete.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Feb. 2026
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Brake gently as needed - Brake normally if the vehicle has anti-lock brakes and pump brakes gently if in an older vehicle.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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