Synonyms of wag

wag 1 of 3

noun (1)

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

• flap
• flick
• twitch
• waggle
• switch
• swish
• wave
• flutter
• whisk
• nod
• wiggle
• shake
• rock
• whip
• swing
• jerk
• sway
• oscillation
• bob
• jolt
• waver
• snap
• jiggle

wag

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

• comedian
• droll
• humorist
• wit
• gagger
• jokester
• jester
• farceur
• funnyman
• entertainer
• clown
• comic
• card
• joker
• gagman
• gagster
• comedienne
• knockabout
• fool
• buffoon
• practical joker
• kidder
• prankster
• teaser
• harlequin
• quipster
• parodist
• wisecracker
• banterer
• caricaturist
• satirist
• zany
• quipper
• cutup
• lampooner

wag

3 of 3

verb

ˈwag 

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

• flap
• flick
• twitch
• bob
• swing
• waggle
• switch
• swish
• jerk
• sway
• wave
• shake
• flutter
• oscillate
• lash
• whip
• rock
• wiggle
• waver
• flail
• flicker
• nod
• flop
• jolt
• beat
• jog
• jiggle
• jig
• joggle

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

• gossip
• talk
• tattle
• tell
• dish
• blab
• spill the beans
• reveal
• hint
• divulge
• disclose
• rumor
• report
• imply
• suggest
• let on
• inform
• circulate
• noise (about or abroad)
• tip (off)
• insinuate
• spill
• confide
• snitch
• intimate
• blabber
• squeal
• babble
• bandy (about)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shut up
• clam up

3

as in to bob

to make short up-and-down movements

the bird's head wagged jerkily as it looked for worms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bob
• shake
• pump
• jerk
• nod
• sway
• jog
• wiggle
• jounce
• bobble
• seesaw
• duck
• rock
• swing
• oscillate
• wobble
• jiggle
• undulate
• drop

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of 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

The Pomeranian munchkins in Munchkinland skitter around, sniffing wagging butts. — Emma Madden, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Dogs being hurried out of the apartment building by their owners wagged their tails, excited by the commotion. — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 15 Aug. 2026