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 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 His death sent waves of shock and grief across the world of professional wrestling. — Rudy Chinchilla, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026 The poetry world in the city is multifarious and energetic, with waves of practitioners reading, listening to, and publishing one another. — Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026 These ultrasonic waves make the bubbles resonate, producing vibrations that move the surrounding fluid. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 15 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

California did not experience any rain or wind before massive swells overtook Laguna Beach, where a portion of the PCH remains closed as sections crack and slide down toward the ocean.

— Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 17 Oct. 2026
Mentions of data centers have, predictably, shot up across all three networks in recent months as political backlash against AI swells and the data centers themselves have become a salient issue ahead of the midterms.

— J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of swells

Verb

The new agreement signals an effort to expand production capacity before future demand exceeds available supply.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 20 Oct. 2026
As of last week, the interest on some of CoreWeave’s bonds surged to 15% — a level that signals distress or a higher risk of default.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026