1
as in flapped
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
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2
as in talked
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
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Recent Examples of wagged
Kadri looked up, briefly, then wagged a gloved finger in appreciation.
—
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Andy hopped onto a nearby settee and wagged his tail.
—Margaret Moorman, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
After his score was announced Tuesday, Malinin’s coach, Rafael Arutyunyan, confidently wagged a single finger in the air.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Major League Baseball wagged a finger with one hand and palmed gate receipts and a new TV deal in the other.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
The once-weak puppy woke up with new energy—and even wagged her tail for the first time.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
His dog, Bull, wagged his tail and sniffed at the patch of browning grass under his paws.
—Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025
Hope then asked to hold the pup, who has curly sandy-colored fur and wagged her tail as the 6-year-old held her in her arms (with a little help from her mom).
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The pair shared curious stares and wagged tails throughout the three-hour journey, delighting those seated nearby.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 9 Mar. 2026
Andy hopped onto a nearby settee and wagged his tail.
—Margaret Moorman, New Yorker, 22 Feb. 2026
After his score was announced Tuesday, Malinin’s coach, Rafael Arutyunyan, confidently wagged a single finger in the air.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Feb. 2026
Major League Baseball wagged a finger with one hand and palmed gate receipts and a new TV deal in the other.
—Jeremy Collins, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
The once-weak puppy woke up with new energy—and even wagged her tail for the first time.
—Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025
His dog, Bull, wagged his tail and sniffed at the patch of browning grass under his paws.
—Molly Davis, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025
Hope then asked to hold the pup, who has curly sandy-colored fur and wagged her tail as the 6-year-old held her in her arms (with a little help from her mom).
—Hannah Sacks, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The pair shared curious stares and wagged tails throughout the three-hour journey, delighting those seated nearby.
—Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wagged
Verb
-
Verona almost won it in stoppage time but Kieron Bowie couldn’t keep his attempt on target after Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret flapped aimlessly at a cross.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
-
But Chelsea — and Garnacho — responded again, the Argentina international reducing the arrears again after some Kepa had flapped at a cross.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This was back in the days when Ross openly talked, even joked with the media, back in a time when things were funny.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Fertig talked with Semafor about the PAC’s origin, goals, and strategy, and this is an edited transcript of the conversation.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Silver patches poke through deep chestnut hair that, not long ago, bobbed in a ponytail on her long runs.—
Gerald Witt,
AJC.com,
1 Mar. 2026
-
In the gray dawn, rows of bicycles bobbed at their moorings, as though lifted by ghostly hands.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
From the opening kick-off, Dewsbury-Hall had flicked the ball up and volleyed it high downfield, forcing Burnley defender Joe Worrall into an early clearance.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Carranza flicked on a header for an assist Jason Jason Moreno chipped the goalkeeper to finish the play.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lilian liked Anna, who was on the school board, knew what was going on, and gossiped matter-of-factly with neither pettiness nor zeal.—
Yiyun Li,
New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The records have thousands of references to Trump, including emails in which Epstein and others shared news articles, commented on his policies, or gossiped about him and his family.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Fortune,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Palace centre-back shook off Leny Yoro as the ball was delivered into the box before heading past Senne Lammens.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The earthquake shook at a depth of 8 miles, with its epicenter approximately 4 miles east-northeast of Calexico.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The two stood nose-to-nose on the field when the Steelers player grabbed onto Chase’s facemask, jerked his head and appeared to punch him.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
16 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Malkin turned around and swung his stick at Dahlin, hitting him in the neck and side of the head.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Roman Anthony had a monster of a homer the other night for Team USA in a World Baseball Classic tune-up, and Ceddanne Rafaela swung the bat well, too, though obviously with him consistency will be key.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wagged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wagged. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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