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
And sign up for the Mardi Paws – 2025 Fur Ball Gala May 10, where the beads are flying, tails are wagging, and the spirit of New Orleans is alive. Trish Stinger and, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2025 The home security camera captured Frank wagging his tail as the driver hopped out of the truck, following him every step of the way to the front door. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
  • Rainbow flags flap in the breeze in Postos 8 and 9, which draw a generally mixed LGBTQ+ crowd.
    JD Shadel, Them., 21 Apr. 2025
  • International flags flapped in the wind at both the start and end as a reminder of the year’s theme: Around The World in 13.1 miles.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The point is, a little intention can encourage you to think twice before gossiping, Helander says, and prevent your conversation from slipping into cruel, purposeless trash talk.
    Jenna Ryu, SELF, 21 Apr. 2025
  • But even with plenty to gossip about, this season starts out as quietly as any other.
    Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Billy is often seen bobbing, pacing and swaying — all signs of brain damage caused by years of captivity, the organization said.
    Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • SpaceX SpaceX crews deployed nearby rushed to the gently bobbing capsule and rigged it for a lift onto the company's recovery ship Shannon.
    William Harwood, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Union carved out a niche in romantic comedies, starring in Two Can Play That Game (2001), Deliver Us from Eva (2003), and Breakin’ All the Rules (2004), in addition to action flicks like Cradle 2 the Grave (2003).
    EW.com, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Bohm took a few steps, then flicked his bat into the air.
    Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • And the volunteer who can’t write a check but has spent every weekend knocking on doors and talking to neighbors about this campaign’s promise of a better future for Fort Worth.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Josh Norris, Bowen Byram and JJ Peterka are among those scheduled to talk to reporters.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The United States Geological Survey reports that light shaking could be felt as far southeast as Bursa, which is approximately 97 miles south of Istanbul.
    Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • On Tuesday, not so much, the Lakers showing their clear dominance in every area backed by a legendarily springtime loud home crowd that annually shakes, rattles and rolls.
    Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • 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
  • Real Estate As Ballast Against Market Turbulence Why does Manhattan real estate hold up while other assets twitch?
    Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Katie Maloney is not pumped about the Vanderpump Rules reboot.
    Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • California has the largest fleet of electric school buses in the country after pumping more than $1.3 billion into such efforts and funding more than 2,300 of the buses.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 4 May. 2025.

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