How is the word wave distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of wave are brandish, flourish, swing, and thrash. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.
waving the flag
In what contexts can brandish take the place of wave?
Although the words brandish and wave have much in common, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.
brandishing a knife
When could flourish be used to replace wave?
The words flourish and wave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.
flourished the winning lottery ticket
When can swing be used instead of wave?
The words swing and wave can be used in similar contexts, but swing implies regular or uniform movement.
swing the rope back and forth
When is it sensible to use thrash instead of wave?
The meanings of thrash and wave largely overlap; however, thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.
an infant thrashing his arms about
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wave
Noun
The next wave of global problem-solvers aren’t necessarily presidents, prime ministers or CEOs.—Sergio Alonso Fernández De Córdova Y De Veyga, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2025 Soft waves cascaded through her inky hair color courtesy of artist Paul Nebres.—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
Abramite says a triple-barrel waving iron is best for adding this texture to straight hair.—Marci Robin, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025 Now, the 36-year-old grower, who inherited the generational plot from his father, can only wave his arm dejectedly at row after row of weak, spindly stems, the result of catastrophic floods that swept the South Asian nation’s agricultural heartland to a degree not experienced in three decades.—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wave
However, if the swell lingers, changes are possible, and the advisory will be extended.
—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Oct. 2025
These swells will spread westward toward the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight, then toward the rest of the Greater Antilles over the next couple of days.
Thailand’s Public Health Ministry also warned of a surge in influenza cases in September.
—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
The price surge in bitcoin helped create another 70,000 new crypto millionaires over the past year, adding hundreds of billions of dollars in potential spending to the economy, according to new studies.
MrBeast, the internet personality most famous for his videos documenting random acts of extreme charity, is in shorts, animatedly talking and gesturing with his hands.
—
Chris Quintana,
USA Today,
12 Oct. 2025
Supporters witnessed players gesturing to each other in annoyance at misplaced passes or mistimed runs, fans let rip with their own nervousness as their side defended a 1-0 lead, and, most graphically, head coach Vitor Pereira was sent from the touchline after his own anxiety got the better of him.
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