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
In an October 23 Instagram video posted by user @jenjinete, a tiny Shih Tzu puppy can be seen waddling onto the porch, tail wagging rapidly, as the mailman approaches to make the day's delivery.
—
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
There wasn’t any tailgating at Gillette Stadium Sunday, but there were plenty of wagging tails.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kiss’ original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
From metallic sparkle bandanas to adventure-ready harnesses and travel crates, this collection has everything your pet needs to keep their tails wagging and paws moving in style.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Swift and Styles set tongues wagging after they were spotted by paparazzi strolling together in November 2012, and things seemed even more heated after they were photographed sharing some New Year’s Eve smooches the following month.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Blackberry is always ready to greet you with a wagging tail and a big smile.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Of course, with all the tail- and tongue-wagging joy our little friends get from tagging along comes some risk.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
Dogs often show their happiness by wagging their tails, but one owner has learned those joyful wags can get canines into a bit of a predicament.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
There wasn’t any tailgating at Gillette Stadium Sunday, but there were plenty of wagging tails.
—Boston Herald Staff, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
Kiss’ original lineup included Frehley, singer-guitarist Paul Stanley, tongue-wagging bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Peter Criss.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
From metallic sparkle bandanas to adventure-ready harnesses and travel crates, this collection has everything your pet needs to keep their tails wagging and paws moving in style.
—Jessica Moore, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
Swift and Styles set tongues wagging after they were spotted by paparazzi strolling together in November 2012, and things seemed even more heated after they were photographed sharing some New Year’s Eve smooches the following month.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Blackberry is always ready to greet you with a wagging tail and a big smile.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Of course, with all the tail- and tongue-wagging joy our little friends get from tagging along comes some risk.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
Dogs often show their happiness by wagging their tails, but one owner has learned those joyful wags can get canines into a bit of a predicament.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wagging
Verb
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While images of retinas bursting with color and a dove flapping its wings on an outstretched human hand looped behind them, the two allowed the crowd to grow denser while bobbing along to their rhythms.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Gauzy curtains that have blown into a tree are flapping in the wind.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Drea Nicole and Lex P, the hosts of the Pour Minds podcast, act as caterers of Walker’s wedding while gossiping about her A-list guests.—
Heran Mamo,
Billboard,
10 Nov. 2025
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Emily mumbled a weak excuse when the real answer is simply that all of the housewives stir up trouble for each other by gossiping and sniping behind each other’s backs.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While images of retinas bursting with color and a dove flapping its wings on an outstretched human hand looped behind them, the two allowed the crowd to grow denser while bobbing along to their rhythms.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
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In the clip, Lecaillier cuts, tapes and shapes her materials until a wonderfully bonkers ostrich begins to take form — complete with flapping wings and a bobbing neck made from little more than determination and a sense of humor.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Freddie Freeman won an eight-pitch tussle with Gausman by flicking a two-out double into the right-field corner.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
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While a wagging dog’s tail might indicate excitement or friendliness, a flicking cat’s tail can signal irritation.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In the next few years, the study says workers will be talking to their phones or laptops, instead of typing, thanks to the explosion of AI.—
Orianna Rosa Royle,
Fortune,
7 Nov. 2025
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Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more!—
Daisy Dobrijevic,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Your Heart Gets Healthier Exercise strengthens the heart muscle, improving its efficiency in pumping blood throughout the body.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
4 Nov. 2025
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For years, major medical organizations like the American Heart Association have recommended aiming to get at least 150 minutes of heart-pumping physical activity a week.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Picture objects levitating or twitching without external interference—or switching rooms.—
Sophia Beams,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Oct. 2025
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Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Just two weeks ago, Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi was shaking hands with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
12 Nov. 2025
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As the title suggests, this sprawling tale centers on Raja, a man in his sixties who lives with his mother in Beirut, a city shaking with political and ecological turmoil.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wagging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wagging. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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