as in motioned
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025
Some waved flags, some rode on shoulders and, over the noise, dozens tried in vain to call back home where the sun was just rising.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Large trucks carried the on-display coffins through the heart of Tehran as crowds dressed in black and waved flags.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Among the many waved and gelled hairstyles, Simone Biles and Bad Bunny also championed the look.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 6 May 2025
The dress was not complete without Saldaña’s waved hair, styled by Aviva Perea and Cassie Russek.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 6 May 2025
With the event coming on the eve of Palm Sunday, many waved palm fronds.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Attendees donned Mexican flags and waved signs that opposed Trump and immigration authorities.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025
Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Johnson was flagged for a neutral zone violation, however, and the TD was waved off.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Wickersham gently waved me off.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Before the fight was waved off, Imavov had honed in on Cannonier's range and timing.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Some even waved their arms up and down in an attempt to rile up the crowd.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
When Valdez appeared to shake off Salazar’s sign for a curveball on a 1-0 pitch to New York’s Trent Grisham, the catcher waved at him to step off the mound.
—CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
This accusation seems to be driven by the fact that Jess waved at Solène from the deck as the automatic doors closed, rather than stepping in to talk to her at the bar.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Republicans, wary of crossing Trump, have largely waved through even controversial picks.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
The green and white waved floors lead you into a sparkling, velvet-upholstered dining room.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025
Some waved flags, some rode on shoulders and, over the noise, dozens tried in vain to call back home where the sun was just rising.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Large trucks carried the on-display coffins through the heart of Tehran as crowds dressed in black and waved flags.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Among the many waved and gelled hairstyles, Simone Biles and Bad Bunny also championed the look.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 6 May 2025
The dress was not complete without Saldaña’s waved hair, styled by Aviva Perea and Cassie Russek.
—Rachel Flynn, People.com, 6 May 2025
With the event coming on the eve of Palm Sunday, many waved palm fronds.
—Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Apr. 2025
Attendees donned Mexican flags and waved signs that opposed Trump and immigration authorities.
—Jennah Pendleton, Sacramento Bee, 12 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Against Miami Central, McCarthy waved to his coaches to call a timeout.
—Alec Lewis, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
Johnson was flagged for a neutral zone violation, however, and the TD was waved off.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Wickersham gently waved me off.
—Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Before the fight was waved off, Imavov had honed in on Cannonier's range and timing.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Some even waved their arms up and down in an attempt to rile up the crowd.
—Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
When Valdez appeared to shake off Salazar’s sign for a curveball on a 1-0 pitch to New York’s Trent Grisham, the catcher waved at him to step off the mound.
—CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2025
This accusation seems to be driven by the fact that Jess waved at Solène from the deck as the automatic doors closed, rather than stepping in to talk to her at the bar.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2025
Republicans, wary of crossing Trump, have largely waved through even controversial picks.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 26 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waved
Verb
-
The man calmly motioned to the back of his station wagon.—
Jim Clash,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
From his Mercedes Benz, parked nearby, Martin spotted Davis and motioned him over, Davis wrote in his book.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Curly textures are naturally drier and more prone to frizz than straight or wavy hair, which makes choosing the right oil a critical step in any curly hair-care routine.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Sun streams through wavy windows and splashes across bottles and glasses lining the bar.—
Roger Naylor,
AZCentral.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The direct result was another throw hurled into their box with Emiliano Martinez attempting to claim the high ball — something Emery had gestured for earlier in the half.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
25 Aug. 2025
-
For example, humpbacks gestured with their pectoral fins toward dolphins on 172 occasions.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Wearing a T-shirt, flannel and jeans, his frizzy hair poking from under the back and sides of a train-conductor cap, Young resembled his late-middle-aged self save for a noticeably paunchier belly, whiter sideburns and craggier face.—
Bob Gendron,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Alex Karp, the frizzy-haired CEO of defense software company Palantir, has become somewhat of a pro at deflecting criticism.—
Jessica Mathews,
Fortune,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Curly-haired individuals, especially those with kinkier textures, know the number one rule of wash day: detangle before shampooing.—
Jailynn Taylor,
Allure,
21 Aug. 2025
-
The brand has a stellar reputation for offering a hydrated lineup of products made with coily, curly, and kinky textures in mind—and this scalp scrub is no different.—
Tatayana Yomary,
Essence,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waved. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share