Synonyms of wagging

wagging

verb

present participle of wag

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

• flapping
• flicking
• twitching
• swinging
• waggling
• swishing
• waving
• bobbing
• switching
• jerking
• swaying
• shaking
• fluttering
• rocking
• oscillating
• wavering
• flailing
• flopping
• lashing
• whipping
• flickering
• wiggling
• nodding
• jigging
• jiggling
• jolting
• beating
• jogging
• joggling

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

• gossiping
• talking
• tattling
• telling
• blabbing
• dishing
• revealing
• spilling the beans
• hinting
• implying
• disclosing
• intimating
• circulating
• divulging
• squealing
• suggesting
• informing
• reporting
• spilling
• blabbering
• snitching
• insinuating
• tipping (off)
• babbling
• rumoring
• confiding
• letting on
• bandying (about)
• noising (about or abroad)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shutting up
• clamming up

3

as in bobbing

to make short up-and-down movements

the bird's head wagged jerkily as it looked for worms

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bobbing
• pumping
• shaking
• jerking
• nodding
• swaying
• jogging
• wiggling
• jouncing
• seesawing
• bobbling
• rocking
• swinging
• jiggling
• ducking
• wobbling
• oscillating
• undulating
• dropping

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wagging

Though the Colonel had many enemies, the violence of his death shocks the sleepy village and starts the tongues of the local gossips wagging. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 15 July 2026

Today, these dotted dogs are living symbols of courage, companionship and tail-wagging tradition that’s an iconic part of American history. — Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 15 July 2026

Though his tail was wagging, the dog immediately bounded down the hallway toward an officer, who fired his service pistol four times, killing the dog. — Paige St. John, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026

Bruce was next seen wrapped in towels on the boat, wagging his tail happily after being rescued. — Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026

Carousel of Progress’ animatronic family — headed by John and Sarah — will remain, including Uncle Orville and Rover, the dog with the ever-wagging tail. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026

But in Croisette conversations about potential runners, riders and rovers, one mutt kept wagging its tail. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 22 May 2026

Dakota, a 3 ½-year-old Australian shepherd mix, bounced into the ring, her tail wagging. — Ross Mantle, New York Times, 21 May 2026

Tax savings are real, but when the tax tail starts wagging the family dog, reversibility quietly disappears. — Royce Ramey, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026