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
The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
For many, this is the last image of that player with the waggling hips, at the top of the world, and unburdened by football’s brutality.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 30 June 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
The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
Millions of people watched the awards shows where Williams waggled his hips at Tom Jones, or challenged Oasis’ Liam Gallagher to a fist fight — moments that have been absorbed into pop culture.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
For many, this is the last image of that player with the waggling hips, at the top of the world, and unburdened by football’s brutality.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
-
Linking these rooms is a massive sunken living room that, when the flaps are open, bleeds seamlessly into the deck with its deep couches and plunge pool.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The Andessa hits at the middle of the thigh and has a flap that covers your bum—perfect for sitting on a near-frozen chairlift.—
Outside,
Outside,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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From the opening kick-off, Dewsbury-Hall had flicked the ball up and volleyed it high downfield, forcing Burnley defender Joe Worrall into an early clearance.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Carranza flicked on a header for an assist Jason Jason Moreno chipped the goalkeeper to finish the play.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Many critics, political pundits, and wags asked, somewhat rhetorically, whether anyone in the administration recalls how handing the responsibility of nuclear weaponry over to machines turned out in the Terminator movies.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
2 Mar. 2026
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The latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue has some wag to it.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Kearse twitched briefly after the lethal drugs began entering his system but stopped moving several minutes later.—
Freida Frisaro,
Sun Sentinel,
3 Mar. 2026
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Levy brought the dog in dead and claimed that that the dog had a seizure and was vomiting, choking and twitching before his death.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And Cronin’s bait-and-switch bit?—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Joann Hussey, communications director for the city of Hollywood, cited lower costs and higher turnout as key reasons for the city’s switch.—
Megan Vaz,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Malkin turned around and swung his stick at Dahlin, hitting him in the neck and side of the head.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Experts think home prices are likely to remain sticky heading into spring and that mortgage rates might not swing much below 6%.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
And there was-- there was a wiggle.—
Anderson Cooper,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
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Each robot performs a tiny wiggle pattern to report information like temperature.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stewart swished the shot, and confetti fell from the roof in celebration.—
Tim Reynolds,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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Neuqua Valley junior center Danny Mikuta caught a pass from teammate Cole Kelly in the right corner and swished a 3-pointer.—
Matt Le Cren,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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