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
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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
Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
In the past few years, a new generation of Japanese filmmakers has started to make waves on the international film festival circuit, which for many years was focused on a small group of Japanese masters.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The Knix campaign star‘s glam featured such highlights as her natural hair worn with a middle part in soft waves and makeup with bold, lined eyes.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Where is Bari Weiss making waves?
—FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
In June 2024, Burrow turned heads for his bleach-blonde buzz cut, a drastic change from his previous sandy blond waves.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 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
These alerts address hazards such as sneaker waves, rip currents, shore break, and hazardous surf—all of which can lead to serious injury or death for swimmers, surfers, and coastal visitors.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025
In the past few years, a new generation of Japanese filmmakers has started to make waves on the international film festival circuit, which for many years was focused on a small group of Japanese masters.
—Liz Shackleton, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
The Knix campaign star‘s glam featured such highlights as her natural hair worn with a middle part in soft waves and makeup with bold, lined eyes.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Oct. 2025
Where is Bari Weiss making waves?
—FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2025
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025
In June 2024, Burrow turned heads for his bleach-blonde buzz cut, a drastic change from his previous sandy blond waves.
—Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2025
Shore break occurs when waves break directly on the beach.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 Oct. 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
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South Beach’s expanse is the perfect place to stroll and shell, and East Beach is ideal for surfers seeking bigger swells.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
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These swells will spread westward toward the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico tonight, then toward the rest of the Greater Antilles over the next couple of days.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That signals to a positive relationship.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
20 Oct. 2025
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That signals how serious the Nittany Lions are about getting over the hump.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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