as in motioned
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of waved
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
The crowd danced, waved flags, and voiced their support for democracy in the country they were forced to leave decades ago.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Airlines canceled thousands of flights and waved change and cancellation fees for airports across the East Coast.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Once closed, students gathered in the road and played music, displayed signs and waved flags.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Feb. 2026
Danai Gurira wraps her braids in intricate, waved shapes along her face for an elegant red carpet look.
—Audrey Noble, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
After Trump’s press conference about U.S. actions in Venezuela, people still gathered outside the Doral restaurant and sang, danced and waved flags.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
But publicly, Broncos head coach Sean Payton treated news of Justin Herbert’s Sunday absence with a waved hand and a shrug.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Jan. 2026
As a helicopter carrying hostages to the Ichilov hospital flew overhead, crowds cheered, applauded and waved flags.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia's shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
Guthrie then walked out and waved to the crowd while locking arms with Jenna Bush Hager; the pair could be seen sharing a long hug before stepping outside.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
They were stopped once and asked to open the car and show press cards before being waved onward.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
They were stopped once and asked to open the car doors and show press cards before being waved onward.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The couple waved to the cameras before riding off in a vintage Jaguar—the perfect ending to a gorgeous (and extremely well-publicized) day.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 5 Apr. 2026
But it was waved off for offsides and the night ended 2-2.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
Texas Rangers legend Josh Hamilton waved around two dollar bills with a smile on his face Tuesday at Oak Grove Park.
—Charles Baggarly
april 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Lawmakers listened and asked questions while demonstrators outside displayed signs and waved flags.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 11 Mar. 2026
The crowd danced, waved flags, and voiced their support for democracy in the country they were forced to leave decades ago.
—Da Lin, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026
Airlines canceled thousands of flights and waved change and cancellation fees for airports across the East Coast.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Once closed, students gathered in the road and played music, displayed signs and waved flags.
—Cate Charron, IndyStar, 2 Feb. 2026
Danai Gurira wraps her braids in intricate, waved shapes along her face for an elegant red carpet look.
—Audrey Noble, InStyle, 13 Jan. 2026
After Trump’s press conference about U.S. actions in Venezuela, people still gathered outside the Doral restaurant and sang, danced and waved flags.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
But publicly, Broncos head coach Sean Payton treated news of Justin Herbert’s Sunday absence with a waved hand and a shrug.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Jan. 2026
As a helicopter carrying hostages to the Ichilov hospital flew overhead, crowds cheered, applauded and waved flags.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
But after initially stopping Ryan O’Hearn, third base coach Tony Beasley waved him home when the ball trickled into right field.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Before retreating into the basilica, Leo stepped forward out of the loggia's shadow and waved to the cheering crowd below.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Apr. 2026
Guthrie then walked out and waved to the crowd while locking arms with Jenna Bush Hager; the pair could be seen sharing a long hug before stepping outside.
—Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 6 Apr. 2026
They were stopped once and asked to open the car and show press cards before being waved onward.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
They were stopped once and asked to open the car doors and show press cards before being waved onward.
—Bassem Mroue, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
The couple waved to the cameras before riding off in a vintage Jaguar—the perfect ending to a gorgeous (and extremely well-publicized) day.
—Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 5 Apr. 2026
But it was waved off for offsides and the night ended 2-2.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2026
Texas Rangers legend Josh Hamilton waved around two dollar bills with a smile on his face Tuesday at Oak Grove Park.
—Charles Baggarly
april 2, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waved
Adjective
-
The study published in the journal Construction and Building Materials also revealed that the triangular and wavy forms significantly enhanced the beam's ability to handle post-cracking stress.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
On the other hand, tape-ins are often well suited for straight to wavy hair types, and keratin bonds are great for curly or straight hair, but both are best applied by a professional.—
Hunter Lacey,
Allure,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Prior to closing arguments, Hunter’s other lawyer, Eben Self, motioned for an acquittal by arguing there was no evidence Green was even killed in Orange County, which Chief Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon quickly denied.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Then, when pressed if he's officially booked or not, the actor motioned that his lips are sealed.—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Wiseman gestured with his hands, making a heart shape and pointing to a bracelet around his wrist.—
Evan Bush,
NBC news,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Damas mistakenly believed his son had called the police on him, became angry, and gestured as if to hit him but never made physical contact, Nelson said.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Hair can be frizzy or smooth, brittle or strong.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
-
For best results, use a hair dryer that has a diffuser for curls that are defined, but not frizzy.—
Audrey Noble,
InStyle,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
All three are mired in different, dispiriting versions of mid-life crises, and get involved in a kinky kinda sorta love triangle.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The affair between Clark and Carol called for some fairly ridiculous, kinky and specific acts in a hotel room.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Lancôme’s Lash Idôle Curl Goddess Mascara gives you longer, more curled lashes in just a few swipes.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Senior Sebastian Valencia scored goals on a header on a cross by junior Mason Sanders and another on a curled solo shot from distance.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waved. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
