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

Relevance

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

Synonym Chooser

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
Warm, enthusiastic applause rolled over the auditorium in waves as the film credits rolled, and the Dardennes embraced their co-stars. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025 The climax of the season is a surfing safari to Cortes Bank, 100 miles off the coast of Southern California, where an undersea island creates huge waves with no land in sight. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
Verb
Each time his lead widened as more results came in, the crowd, many waving the flags of Europe, would erupt in cheers. Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025 Gressel was wide open, waving his arms for Pereyra to find him at the back post. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wave
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wave
Noun
  • The big hair matched his baritone and broad shoulders, the kind that come from years of scratching over 10- and 20-foot swells.
    Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 12 May 2025
  • The locals sure aren't, with an increasing number of surfers finally catching on to the islands' stellar swells.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • Noticing all this, Martín Maldonado motioned to the visiting dugout.
    Dennis Lin, New York Times, 8 May 2025
  • Curry attacked the lane and finished at the rim, but quickly reached for his leg and motioned toward the bench.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • Russia’s war against Ukraine has triggered a surge in European defense budgets, and Ebert believes this could become an unexpected catalyst for innovation.
    Jackie Snow, Quartz, 14 May 2025
  • The announcement of the dinner prompted a large surge in the price of the $TRUMP token.
    Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Bruce Springsteen gestures during a rally for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Atlanta, Georgia, on Oct. 24, 2024.
    Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 16 May 2025
  • Lord Grade, chairman of Ofcom, gestured to this when asked by lawmakers if the media regulator has any concerns about RedBird IMI’s interest in ITV.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 14 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wave. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on wave

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!