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
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
That includes Gerrit Cole, who infamously wagged his finger at the Mariners’ bench and fired a high, 0-2 fastball at Caballero back in June 2023 when the hitter played for Seattle.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Tracy’s caregivers and foster mom all gave her pats as the blue-eyed dog wagged her tail and moved down the line.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
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
That includes Gerrit Cole, who infamously wagged his finger at the Mariners’ bench and fired a high, 0-2 fastball at Caballero back in June 2023 when the hitter played for Seattle.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 20 Aug. 2025
Tracy’s caregivers and foster mom all gave her pats as the blue-eyed dog wagged her tail and moved down the line.
—Tj MacIas, Kansas City Star, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wagged
Verb
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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
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A little way down the bank, a hoatzin flapped awkwardly in dense foliage.—
Stanley Stewart,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After admiring McKinnon’s designs, Carreira talked it over with Glenn at an early season competition in Oberstdorf, Germany.—
Patrice Hutton,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Well, the agent talked to me, explained to me the task force model and everything.—
Ben Fenwick,
Oklahoma Watch,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Several giant foam fingers bobbed above the crowd.—
Martin Silva Rey,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Tyla’s glam included bobbed hair and cornrows with bold makeup, featuring smokey eyes.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The day Hanceville’s police department was eliminated, a switch was flicked in a dispatch center at the county sheriff’s office in Cullman.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
7 Feb. 2026
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Off a pass from Alex Carpenter, Knight went streaking up the right side of the ice, fended off a defender and then flicked a goal into the top of the net.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
Famous names show up in Epstein’s emails The records have thousands of references to Trump, including emails in which Epstein and others shared news articles about him, commented on his policies or politics, or gossiped about him and his family.—
Eric Tucker,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Knight shook her head and reiterated that this was indeed her final Olympic game.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Their deaths shook this state and the nation.—
Kenety S. Gee,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Aisha jerked and opened her eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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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
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Within seconds, Perez smacked a cellphone out of the man's hand, swung at his head and tackled him to the ground.—
Sheridan Hendrix,
USA Today,
12 Feb. 2026
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Over the past decade, screening guidelines have swung from recommending routine screening to advising against it to landing somewhere in between, and major organizations still don’t all say it the same way.—
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wagged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wagged. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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