wag 1 of 3

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

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wag

2 of 3

noun (2)

wag

3 of 3

verb

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2
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

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 wag
Noun
Local wags in the Tahoe region wryly simplify the options: Go to the end of your driveway and turn right or turn left. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2025 Behind the fence, his littermates and an older dog wag their tails, seemingly aware of the bittersweet goodbye. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
Verb
The outfit singer/songwriter Erykah Badu wore during her performance at Billboard’s Women in Music ceremony had tongues wagging and fingers flying this week. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 3 Apr. 2025 Additionally, tail wagging releases pheromones from a dog's scent glands, further aiding in communication. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
  • State and federal flags flapped in the wind at half-staff behind Thomas during his speech.
    Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 May 2025
  • Viewers were able to see Cannoli racing into the sunshine, with his ears flapping, tail wagging, and body bounding forward at full throttle.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • So, who better to gossip right now than the stunning cast themselves.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 16 May 2025
  • The teacher told them that Ellsworth, who died in 2018, rebuked her for gossiping. Campbell built a thriving children's ministry at Eastland Assembly of God.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • The team calculated just how quickly the flamingos chattered their beaks and bobbed their heads.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
  • The poem’s individual words and syllables bob like a string of harbor buoys.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • An audience of about 75—who all seemed to be locals, except for me and a Dutch couple—roared and cheered as a gifted dancer named David Nieto shook the stage in a whir of heel stomps, wrist flicks, and head snaps.
    Christopher Bagley, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
  • And if your mom loves action flicks and/or Keanu Reeves by chance?
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Verb
  • Hamas talked to the United States and Egyptian and Qatari mediators to arrange the release of Alexander, and Israel has sent a team to Doha to begin a new round of talks.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 15 May 2025
  • Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 10 contestant Phoenix's drama with Ice Spice must've stirred too much after the season 3 queen clapped back against the guest judge's Main Stage critiques about her icon status, but the Drag Race OG hopes the rapper isn't too shaken in the aftermath.
    Joey Nolfi Published, EW.com, 17 May 2025
  • When Unique told Raq that Kanan came to him asking to team up, that shook her.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • Riley Robinson/Staff A wind blows down the border, twitching pale dry grass.
    Riley Robinson, Christian Science Monitor, 6 May 2025
  • If their tail starts twitching or their ears are flattened, then they may be overstimulated, which can lead to aggression.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Given how well the American Manhunt series continues to perform — and the fact that each installment runs about three episodes — the platform will absolutely keep pumping them out.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
  • The small crew pumped their fists after the rankings were announced.
    Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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