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
Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
At his grandfather's coronation, Louis waved both hands in the air as the family watched a flypast from Buckingham Palace's balcony.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
United and American have most recently been reported as potential merger partners, though American waved off that speculation.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Center Jaxson Hayes waved his arms toward the delirious crowd.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The Hurricanes have pushed through two tough home wins as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the second being a double-overtime win that saw Carolina have an apparent winning score waved off in the first overtime because of an offsides review.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Down 30 with seven minutes left, Ott waved the white flag and emptied his bench, trying to move on to Wednesday’s Game 2 as quickly as possible.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
One of the vehicles waved a Palestinian flag out the window while screeching around the intersection.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Curry had two 3-pointers (one made, the other hit the rim) waved off because of offensive fouls that would have tied the score at 48 in the second quarter, prompting Kerr and Green to engage the referees in lengthy conversations.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
This speaker shows off a dazzling array of purple, blue, and pink hues in an iridescent glow, along with a waved texture that pays homage to sound rippling across a room; and the design has been hand-polished by artisans to boot.
—Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
Giants third base coach Hector Borg waved Lee home, trying to take advantage of the wet conditions and a lazy throw back to the infield, but the Dodgers nabbed Lee with feet to spare.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2026
At his grandfather's coronation, Louis waved both hands in the air as the family watched a flypast from Buckingham Palace's balcony.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 23 Apr. 2026
United and American have most recently been reported as potential merger partners, though American waved off that speculation.
—Allie Canal, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Center Jaxson Hayes waved his arms toward the delirious crowd.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
The Hurricanes have pushed through two tough home wins as the Eastern Conference’s top seed, the second being a double-overtime win that saw Carolina have an apparent winning score waved off in the first overtime because of an offsides review.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
Down 30 with seven minutes left, Ott waved the white flag and emptied his bench, trying to move on to Wednesday’s Game 2 as quickly as possible.
—Doug Haller, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
One of the vehicles waved a Palestinian flag out the window while screeching around the intersection.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
Curry had two 3-pointers (one made, the other hit the rim) waved off because of offensive fouls that would have tied the score at 48 in the second quarter, prompting Kerr and Green to engage the referees in lengthy conversations.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 16 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
-
The inequalities of the art world are gestured to as fact.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
On the way back to the inn, in the fading yellow light, Tony gestured toward a modest wooden shed with a derelict fishing pier extending into the water.—
Akash Kapur,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This will lock in moisture and help lay down any remaining stubborn, frizzy hairs sticking up from your braids.—
Danielle James,
Allure,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Ultra-nourishing and hydrating for dry, frizzy hair.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
