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
J.m. Banks
june 15, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 16 June 2026
Herring Cove is closer to town and known for calmer waters, while Race Point directly faces the Atlantic Ocean and offers more crashing waves and taller dune backdrops to your beachside photo session.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
The Instagram post currently has more than 17,000 likes, and is certainly making waves in the country music world.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Weather officials warn about dangerous rip currents and breaking waves caused by the elevated surf that is reaching 3 to 6 feet.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 16 June 2026
South Florida beaches have been inundated by waves of sargassum in recent weeks — while visually distasteful to some, the seaweed is not usually harmful to humans, and occupies a critical niche in marine ecosystems.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 June 2026
This cut has lots of texture and voluminous waves that sweep away from the face.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
In Huntington Beach and San Clemente, the messy, wild waves licked the bottom of the pier structures.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 16 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
Reid waves a paperback around before tossing it behind his back.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Ben-Gvir waves a large Israeli flag and tells the detainees.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Then Boyd waves to a man passing the DJ booth window.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Based on the Tacoma pickup, the midsize 4Runner still waves the flag for the traditional SUV fans who want real off-road performance.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
The snowy-haired Scot waves me into the passenger seat of his Can-Am Traxter with a huge grin and navigates us through the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, famously anchored by mainland Britain’s most remote pub, the Old Forge.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Every now and again, a brand-new book waves its knowing hand.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 11 Feb. 2026
Noun
Supporters crossed the street chanting songs associated with the Algerian national team while passing motorists responded with honking horns and waves.
—J.m. Banks
june 15, Kansas City Star, 16 June 2026
Gold is a safe-haven asset that investors gravitate toward when economic and political turmoil erupts, sending waves through the markets.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 16 June 2026
Herring Cove is closer to town and known for calmer waters, while Race Point directly faces the Atlantic Ocean and offers more crashing waves and taller dune backdrops to your beachside photo session.
—Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2026
The Instagram post currently has more than 17,000 likes, and is certainly making waves in the country music world.
—David Hookstead Outkick, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026
Weather officials warn about dangerous rip currents and breaking waves caused by the elevated surf that is reaching 3 to 6 feet.
—Chelsea Hylton, CBS News, 16 June 2026
South Florida beaches have been inundated by waves of sargassum in recent weeks — while visually distasteful to some, the seaweed is not usually harmful to humans, and occupies a critical niche in marine ecosystems.
—Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 June 2026
This cut has lots of texture and voluminous waves that sweep away from the face.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 16 June 2026
In Huntington Beach and San Clemente, the messy, wild waves licked the bottom of the pier structures.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 9 June 2026
Verb
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, 16 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
Reid waves a paperback around before tossing it behind his back.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 2 June 2026
Ben-Gvir waves a large Israeli flag and tells the detainees.
—Nick Duffy, NBC news, 20 May 2026
Then Boyd waves to a man passing the DJ booth window.
—Chris Kenning, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Based on the Tacoma pickup, the midsize 4Runner still waves the flag for the traditional SUV fans who want real off-road performance.
—ABC News, 8 Apr. 2026
The snowy-haired Scot waves me into the passenger seat of his Can-Am Traxter with a huge grin and navigates us through the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, famously anchored by mainland Britain’s most remote pub, the Old Forge.
—Jen Murphy, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026
Every now and again, a brand-new book waves its knowing hand.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waves
Noun
-
The surf in Los Angeles County, while large, wasn’t as big as Orange County due to offshore islands blocking the swells into the Santa Monica Bay, said Los Angeles Fire Department Lifeguard Capt.—
Laylan Connelly,
Oc Register,
11 June 2026
-
Law enforcement broke up emotional swells from people on both sides.—
Marvin Hurst,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
-
Low friction signals tech that actually works.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
While a yellow placard signals two or more major violations, these are typically corrected or mitigated during the inspection, according to the Sacramento County Retail Food Inspection Guide.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
June 12,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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