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
Dawn Kovell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Can anyone read that much Tynan without adopting his native tongue wag?
—Stephen Colbert, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Swift and Styles set tongues wagging after they were spotted by paparazzi strolling together in November 2012, and things seemed even more heated after they were photographed sharing some New Year’s Eve smooches the following month.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Noun
The placement of the tail, the type of the wag and the overall body posture need to be considered.
—Dawn Kovell, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2025
Can anyone read that much Tynan without adopting his native tongue wag?
—Stephen Colbert, New Yorker, 18 July 2025
Verb
The researchers say the jet will seem to wag back and forth like a cosmic tail as the smaller black hole continues its 12-year orbit, offering a rare opportunity to watch their motion evolve in real time.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Swift and Styles set tongues wagging after they were spotted by paparazzi strolling together in November 2012, and things seemed even more heated after they were photographed sharing some New Year’s Eve smooches the following month.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
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Moments later, the monarch began to flap its wings and crawl onto Bendicksen’s hand.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Oct. 2025
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But its appeal can’t be divorced from the romance of its history, which properly began in the 19th century when English polo players began wearing oxford shirts as their preferred uniform, complete with collars that buttoned against the body to prevent their points from flapping in the wind.—
Eric Twardzik,
Robb Report,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The ability to gossip effectively and with such precision is a testament to the mind’s sophistication—a feature, not a bug.—
Oriel FeldmanHall,
Time,
6 Oct. 2025
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Folks came through the garden in waves: young moms with strollers; couples speaking Russian, Swedish, French; retirees in spandex gossiping about college reunions.—
Blair Braverman,
Outside,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The kitchen was empty, save for an enormous stockpot of broth, with chicken feet bobbing at the surface.—
Hannah Goldfield,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
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The voice bobbed and weaved like a cornered boxer.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Djokovic raced onto it, flicked the ball down the line, and still won the point, rousing himself and the crowd with a finger to the ear.—
James Hansen,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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Hit the ignition button and the blade doesn't just flick on; the light extends like a real lightsaber would.—
Chris McMullen,
Space.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Kelce talked Wednesday about the good vibes in the Chiefs facility on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 Oct. 2025
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The crows are back, talking to the dog again, and the other birds are singing in the trees.—
Joële Walinga,
IndieWire,
15 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Whether the Canes can get to 10-2 will likely depend on if Beck can shake off his four-interception nightmare.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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The new coach shook hands, smiled for cell phone pictures and signed posters for wave after wave of kids.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Her hand twitched from the heat.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
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Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
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,
20 Oct. 2025
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The brief framework said the two countries will work to accelerate permits for mining and processing and work to pump $1 billion in financing for projects in both countries, according to a description of the framework provided by the Australian Prime Minister's office.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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