Synonyms of 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swells
• seas
• surges
• billows
• tsunamis
• ripples
• curls
• breakers
• whitecaps
• wavelets
• surfs
• rollers
• riffles
• combers
• tidal waves
• ground swells

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

• motions
• signals
• gestures
• flags
• beckons
• nods
• signs
• tells
• informs
• shrugs
• gesticulates
• signalizes
• flourishes
• advises
• mimes
• pantomimes
• relates
• acquaints

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of waves

Noun

But Cardinale acknowledged layoffs would be part of the cost-cuts, a prospect that frightened many in Hollywood after endless waves of job cuts at the two companies. — Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Cyclists and commuters passing by offered supportive waves and honks. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through Thursday night, with heavy rainfall in waves that could lead to flooding along area rivers, creeks and streams, the National Weather Service said. — Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Same Movie, Scarier Villain The earlier waves of shadow IT gave way to shadow applications. — Adrian Carr, Forbes.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Instead of discrete, tiny objects, particles act more like continuous waves. — Sophya Garashchuk, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026

Videos posted on social media showed floodwaters in Texas creating waves along Interstate 35 in Denton. — Fabiola Sanchez, Chicago Tribune, 1 Oct. 2026

Kate styled her long chestnut-colored hair in a half-up, half-down ‘do with soft waves and wore rosy makeup. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026

The Spanish technology uses a series of mechanical modules to push water and generate waves that can be adjusted for different surfing abilities. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 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