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

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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

Large, destructive waves and life-threatening rip currents are forecast across many Hawaiian shorelines during the next several days. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026 Finer waves will want to opt for lightweight hydrators over rich formulas that can flatten waves. — Madison San Miguel, Allure, 5 Sep. 2026 Yet further down in Dana Point is where the crowds thin out and the gorgeous coastline of rocky cliffs, endless beaches, and bright blue ocean waves come into focus. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Sep. 2026 Large-scale ocean deployment would introduce challenges involving currents, waves, fouling by marine organisms, material durability, recovery of the adsorbent, and processing costs. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 The Iranian diaspora spans multiple generations and waves of exile, from those who left after the 1979 revolution to more recent arrivals who fled crackdowns and protest movements. — Julia Vargas Jones, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 In the centuries that followed, the Mission went from Mexican farmland to immigrant stronghold as waves of working-class European families moved into the neighborhood following the Gold Rush in the mid-1800s. — Marissa J. Lang, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026 Caused by parasites spread via Anopheles mosquitoes, malaria can cause symptoms including nausea, headache and intense waves of fever and chills. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026 Playa Venao, Panama getty Playa Venao is one of Panama’s most popular beach towns, made famous by surfers who came in search of its consistent waves. — Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 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 storm could generate strong swells for portions of Mexico’s southwestern coast and Baja California through the weekend, and perhaps Southern California, too, according to the hurricane center.

— Denise Chow, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
Depending on the exact track of the storm, these swells are likely to increase early next week.

— Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026