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
Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
According to court documents, the fraudulent activity occurred in two waves.
—Chase Jordan
january 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
Stone ditched her signature sleek, straight blowout, instead styling her blonde hair in beachy waves with a deep side part.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Limiting banks’ ability to charge rates commensurate with historic default levels would likely send shock-waves through the industry.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
The drills were structured to mimic realistic strike scenarios, with multiple waves of drones making coordinated approaches, forcing defenders to manage simultaneous threats and deploy layered countermeasures effectively.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
But the film could have done a better job making those emotional waves relatable, perhaps lending them some humor instead of a seriousness that lacks inquiring depth.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Images show the Jayhawk hovering over dark green, churning waters while a small orange life raft bobs below, tossed by wind and waves.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
It's been three days since an ICE agent shot and killed Good, sparking waves of protests.
—Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 11 Jan. 2026
According to court documents, the fraudulent activity occurred in two waves.
—Chase Jordan
january 10, Charlotte Observer, 10 Jan. 2026
Stone ditched her signature sleek, straight blowout, instead styling her blonde hair in beachy waves with a deep side part.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
Limiting banks’ ability to charge rates commensurate with historic default levels would likely send shock-waves through the industry.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 10 Jan. 2026
The drills were structured to mimic realistic strike scenarios, with multiple waves of drones making coordinated approaches, forcing defenders to manage simultaneous threats and deploy layered countermeasures effectively.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 9 Jan. 2026
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 Jan. 2026
But the film could have done a better job making those emotional waves relatable, perhaps lending them some humor instead of a seriousness that lacks inquiring depth.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Images show the Jayhawk hovering over dark green, churning waters while a small orange life raft bobs below, tossed by wind and waves.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
In Los Angeles, Justin Bieber takes the court for some basketball, a pregnant Cardi B waves her arms and Glen Powell and Peyton Manning are all smiles at the Chad Powers premiere.
—Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
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
-
Even as the contestants arrive to begin the season, an important rowing portion of today's marooning challenge remains up in the air due to tumultuous swells.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Farther north in the Bay Area, a powerful combination of abnormally high king tides, large swells caused by a storm hanging out in the eastern Pacific, and rainfall across the region has led to coastal flooding.—
Deborah Netburn,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The vehicle, now confirmed as the Kosmera Nebula 1, signals the appliance maker’s serious ambitions beyond household tech and into high-end mobility.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Subramanian stressed there is no reference to a minimum subscription length, an omission that signals Dish can sell passes.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share