wave 1 of 2

as in swell
a moving ridge on the surface of water the toddler was almost knocked down by the waves created by the speedboat

Synonyms & Similar Words

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wave

2 of 2

verb

as in to motion
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture waved them over to the side of the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 wave
Noun
Price gave the non-profit theater, which was part of the first wave of the national regional theater movement in the mid-1960s, a reputation as one of the best venues in the country to develop new American musicals. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 29 Apr. 2025 The attacks on transgender people are intimately tied to the current waves of deportations and the fall of Roe v. Wade, which are part of a larger crackdown on bodily autonomy. Grace Byron, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
Once the fight got to the mat, Mingyang did more damage with ground strikes, leaving the center of the Octagon coated in Smith's blood before referee Jason Herzog waved off the fight. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025 Per the Associated Press, the raucous audience responded in tandem, lighting flares and proudly waving flags. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 26 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wave
Noun
  • The massive dome of the Grand Mosque, and the city’s brilliant whites and blues and glittering golden crescents, blinked at me as the battering swell soaked me and my gear.
    Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Live like the pampered swells by checking into the Starlight Casita, a second-floor luxury room with arresting mountain views and a private patio replete with an outdoor fireplace.
    David Weiss, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Colorado Buffaloes head coach raised his hand and motioned in the air before taking a sip of his water bottle in the clip, shared by uStadium on X. After Shedeur's draft party, Deion posted a video of his son addressing guests with a humble message.
    Natasha Dye, People.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Fuhrer voted against accepting the report and motioned to rescind the resolution supervisors approved in December, which censured Fuhrer and came with a suite of actions, including blocking him from becoming board chair.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The tariff impact should reverse in the current quarter as imports dip below normal following the surge, lifting the economy in the short term, Capital Economics said.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 2 May 2025
  • His trajectory the past two seasons has featured steady improvement and, more recently, an eye-opening surge.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Norris then gestured to the security team, and the men walked over and grabbed Borrenpohl, telling her to cooperate as Norris stood by, appearing to record the incident on a cellphone.
    Alexandra Duggan, Idaho Statesman, 22 Apr. 2025
  • There were screams from Nguyen, cheers from Bowe, and King gestured to the sky and kneeled down to the ground.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wave. Accessed 8 May. 2025.

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