as in to flap
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions
the rabbit waggled its ears and hopped away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waggle
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The observations revealed that elephants greeted one another with specific combinations of vocalizations and gestures, such as rumbles with ear-flapping or ear-spreading, as well as other seemingly less deliberate physical movements, such as tail-raising and waggling, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Noun
The silence of the forest might be interrupted with a siren salute from a passing law enforcement helicopter, or a wing waggle from firefighting aircraft passing en route to a fire.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Verb
These massive mammals greet each other with a mix of gestures and sounds—by flapping their ears, making rumbling noises, waggling their tails and reaching out their trunks, scientists reported last week in the journal Communications Biology.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The observations revealed that elephants greeted one another with specific combinations of vocalizations and gestures, such as rumbles with ear-flapping or ear-spreading, as well as other seemingly less deliberate physical movements, such as tail-raising and waggling, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
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Folio: These popular cases have a professional look and offer a moderate amount of protection using a front cover flap.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Aug. 2025
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With more than 4,000 purchased in the last month, these popular luggage tags are made with flaps at the front that cover personal information like your phone number, address, and name.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As onlookers cheered her on, the musician held a stack of bills and flicked them all over the ground around the bride and groom, who danced and laughed in excitement.—
Erin Clack,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Midfielder Courtney Brown received the ball on the left wing and swung in a bending cross, which playmaker Croix Bethune deftly flicked on towards the back post.—
Vitas Carosella,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Maybe a nameless urban wag first dubbed them battleships on some Fleet Street in another town.—
Jody Mamone,
Hartford Courant,
17 July 2025
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Two hours later, an emotional encounter full of tail wags and smiles played out as Captain and Wood were joyfully reunited in the most unusual of circumstances.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
Verb
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One of the 50 boys starts convulsing on the road, and as Jonsson and Hoffman’s characters walk backwards to see what happens, soldiers have their guns trained on his twitching body before a gunshot rings out.—
Dessi Gomez,
Deadline,
25 July 2025
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This is why after a snake is killed, its body will still twitch and move around, and why its head can still bite.—
Brayden Garcia,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 July 2025
Noun
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Ball head: 360-degree pan / 90-degree switch / -50 and +60 degree tilt.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Weekend beers: Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park will try to flip the switch to fall on Friday with the seasonal release of cinnamon-y/marshmallow-y Sweet Potato Casserole ale in six-packs.—
Ben Crandell,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The company swung to a net income of $1.58 billion for the three months ended in June from a massive loss pushing $10 billion the year before.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
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Warner Music Group swung to a net loss of $16 million in the third quarter after reporting net income of $141 million a year earlier.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Simply hold a zinnia stem between two fingers (about 5 inches below the flower) and give it a wiggle.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
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If your current earbuds need a little wiggle and a prayer to stay connected, here's your upgrade.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Former Kansas State men’s basketball guard Jacob Pullen, a graduate of Chicago’s Proviso East High School, swished a 3-pointer in front of the Kansas alumni team’s bench during the first half of KSU Purple Reign’s 78-72 TBT exhibition loss to the Jayhawks on Thursday at UMKC’s Swinney Center.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
21 July 2025
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The underlying herbal layer contributes some sage notes and everything swishes around delightfully in your mouth until the savory finish.—
Lana Bortolot,
Forbes.com,
30 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
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