as in swells
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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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
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Recent Examples of waves
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Now, a new King adaptation directed by I Am Legend and Hunger Games franchise helmer Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling) is making waves for putting a fresh spin on the ending of the 1979 book on which it's based.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which closed in 2022, followed an unsettled three-year stretch when AT&T also had turned things upside-down and let waves of talented execs walk out the door.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
To add an extra touch of elegance, Sánchez wore her hair in loose waves, paired with natural makeup.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Fleeting waves of normalcy in a sea of confusion.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Tents stretch two miles inland from the sea, where people live just feet from waves.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In Lake Michigan, beach-goers from Manistee County south to Berrien County should beware of strong rip currents, waves up to 6 feet high and gusts reaching 25 knots (28 mph).
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In Michigan, waves up to five feet high are possible by late Tuesday evening in Berrien county.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Much of Israel’s viewing public knows that something terrible is taking place in Gaza, but waves it away.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
The payments, now being issued in waves, come nearly five years after Meta, Facebook's parent company, was first accused of allowing third-party access to user information without consent.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Now, a new King adaptation directed by I Am Legend and Hunger Games franchise helmer Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling) is making waves for putting a fresh spin on the ending of the 1979 book on which it's based.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which closed in 2022, followed an unsettled three-year stretch when AT&T also had turned things upside-down and let waves of talented execs walk out the door.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
To add an extra touch of elegance, Sánchez wore her hair in loose waves, paired with natural makeup.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Fleeting waves of normalcy in a sea of confusion.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Tents stretch two miles inland from the sea, where people live just feet from waves.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
After the Hunt star Andrew Garfield waves to attendees of the red carpet premiere of the film in Venice on Friday.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In Lake Michigan, beach-goers from Manistee County south to Berrien County should beware of strong rip currents, waves up to 6 feet high and gusts reaching 25 knots (28 mph).
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In Michigan, waves up to five feet high are possible by late Tuesday evening in Berrien county.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Much of Israel’s viewing public knows that something terrible is taking place in Gaza, but waves it away.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waves
Noun
-
Slebir’s ride during one of the biggest swells ever recorded in the Pacific Ocean drew national attention.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
14 Sep. 2025
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Ten-foot swells rose up and sent our boat reeling.—
Martin Suarez,
Rolling Stone,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's attendance signals Iran's determination to assert influence in a bloc often dominated by Arab leadership.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
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Meta’s move toward full ad automation signals a shift toward routine tasks being handled by AI.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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