Thesaurus results for WAVES

waves 1 of 2

noun

plural of wave

as in swells

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

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waves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wave

as in motions

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 waves

Noun

The Ritz-Carlton Spa floats out over the crashing waves, with its six pod-like pavilions inspired by traditional Malay fishing traps, or ‘bubus’. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 For beauty, artist Edwin Beltrán gave the bride soft Old Hollywood waves and natural yet glowy makeup. — Shelby Wax, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2026 Record-breaking king tides and oversized waves have flooded beachside bars and restaurants from Redondo Beach to Long Beach, forcing one burger shop to close and leaving others with costly damage. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026 The Ukrainian capital endured a noisy night as 21 ballistic missiles came in three waves, Zelenskyy said, smashing apartment buildings, energy facilities, a railway station and the Kyiv subway system, shopping malls and businesses. — Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026 There was a very rigorous, full-on casting situation, and there were waves of auditions. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 In past waves of new technology, Simmons said, wealthier New Yorkers got access to training first, and the gap compounded. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 Zelenskyy said in a post to Telegram that Russia launched 21 ballistic missiles toward the capital in three waves. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Andrew Ly styled Perry’s hair in long, mermaid-like waves with fringe to frame her face. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Picture a doorman who checks your ID with great care, then waves you into any apartment in the building. — Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The Spa At the beach-level spa, the windows were left wide open during my 60-minute Salt Air Reset massage, making all-natural birdsong and waves the soundtrack of my treatment. — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 My son waves his hands through my light and laughs and laughs. — Literary Hub, 20 July 2026 Ferrari is wary of a culture that diagnoses and labels nearly everything, and equally wary of the backlash that waves off deeper work as just talking. — Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 15 July 2026 Luke offers to change Nathan’s, but the bosun waves away the offer. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 14 July 2026 Not to the American fan who calls it soccer, waves the flag and doesn't apologize for loving his country. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 June 2026 Daddy Yankee waves the Puerto Rican flag on a float during the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City on June 14. — Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026 The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves up to 10 feet were possible on some coasts of the Philippines. — CBS News, 7 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for waves

Noun

The swells flooded parts of the Pacific Coast Highway, forcing the closure of multiple stretches of the road in Huntington Beach.

— Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
Downes’ organ swells around her in sweeping, almost flutelike figures, taking the sour tones of her earlier keyboard work and stripping them down to evangelical simplicity.

— Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of swells

Verb

Based on Buzz Bissinger’s nonfiction book of the same name, The Mosquito Bowl was produced at a level of scale and pedigree that signals the beginning of a new chapter.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026
The shift signals a turning point for the left, which has historically struggled to counter the far-right’s dominant online presence and savvy digital strategy.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026