1
as in flapping
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 gossiping
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 wagging
This might threaten unrelieved angst weighing down a 90-minute drama, or, maybe worse, a didactic, finger-wagging life lesson lecture.
—
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
In a brief closeup from an earlier tournament game, Mara was shown wagging his tongue in celebration … or was that in revenge?
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Tongues are wagging both here and across the pond.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
The book geared to children ages 6 to 8 features a furry, tail-wagging dog who wants to be included in a playdate with two friends.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Zendaya kicked off Paris Fashion Week by sending tongues wagging in bridal white chic.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Tail wagging, happy whining, and excited greetings when your husband comes home tell me Eddie likes him.
—Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Her debut turn alongside Jeremy Renner as a seductive escort got industry tongues wagging.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Start your new year with love, cuddles and wagging tails!
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 7 Apr. 2026
In a brief closeup from an earlier tournament game, Mara was shown wagging his tongue in celebration … or was that in revenge?
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Tongues are wagging both here and across the pond.
—Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 12 Mar. 2026
The book geared to children ages 6 to 8 features a furry, tail-wagging dog who wants to be included in a playdate with two friends.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2026
Zendaya kicked off Paris Fashion Week by sending tongues wagging in bridal white chic.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Tail wagging, happy whining, and excited greetings when your husband comes home tell me Eddie likes him.
—Cathy M. Rosenthal, San Antonio Express-News, 26 Feb. 2026
Her debut turn alongside Jeremy Renner as a seductive escort got industry tongues wagging.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 15 Feb. 2026
Start your new year with love, cuddles and wagging tails!
—Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wagging
Verb
-
Yes, literally like a bird flapping its wings.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Large, thoughtful pockets stay accessible without flapping, and adjusters at the waist and cuffs help keep comfortability, even at mid-hike.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Plus the balcony is useful for intrigues and gossiping about the people below, as seen at Lady Danbury’s ball in season one of Bridgerton.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
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There were no street-style fits or social media postings, just vaping and gossiping and patiently waiting to be let in to dance.—
Leigh Nordstrom,
Footwear News,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once Orion is deemed safe to approach, Navy divers can bring their boats up against the bobbing capsule and members of the 16- to 20-person team jump into the water and begin attaching hardware to steady the capsule and prepare it for crew extraction and recovery.—
Miles Doran,
CBS News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The walk, which made the woodcock a viral hit on social media, consists of the bird shimmying and bobbing its head.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Maza drew in Hamburg players before flicking the ball on for Kofane, who lashed it into the top-left corner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
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The name Dekopin in Japanese refers to flicking someone on the forehead with a finger, typically as a lighthearted punishment or joke.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Smith said after talking to Gregg, Wheels Up reduced the price to $850, but storage fees for having the car since April 1 bring the grand total to at least $2,600.—
Liz Crawford,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
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The brand promises results in four weeks—we’re talking reduced fine lines, dullness, and dark circles, along with improved elasticity, thanks to collagen-stimulating regrowth that encourages a more youthful appearance.—
Lauren Pardee,
InStyle,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Trump then turned around, pumping his fist to those sitting behind him, smiling and waving, then pointed a few times to the crowd.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Apr. 2026
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The lack of fuel has worsened the country’s other longtime problems, from pumping water, picking up garbage to producing food, among others.—
Nora Gámez Torres,
Miami Herald,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Curry’s body began convulsing and twitching with increasing severity, consistent with him sustaining a traumatic brain injury from being punched in the face, documents state.—
Deborah Laverty,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
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Afternoon Ben Thanh Market is Hồ Chí Minh’s biggest market – a vast maze of 1,500 stalls selling everything from still-twitching fish to electronics and souvenirs.—
Tamara Hinson,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That hasn’t stopped them from taking two of three meetings with the Ducks in 2025-26, albeit with the first victory coming before Vancouver’s roster-shaking Quinn Hughes trade and the most recent confrontation being a 5-2 tilt in the Ducks’ favor on March 24.—
Andrew Knoll,
Oc Register,
11 Apr. 2026
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Surveillance footage from inside the store showed tension between Dempsey and Thurston, which Dempsey attempted to defuse by shaking Thurston’s hand.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wagging. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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