waves 1 of 2

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

Relevance

waves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of wave

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
This year has seen waves of bad news for the global fight to halt catastrophic climate change. Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 7 Nov. 2025 Echoing her refined outfit, Lawrence went with simple, no-fuss beauty, including loose waves and a no-makeup makeup look. Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025 The northern lights, or aurora borealis, are waves of light created when the solar wind strikes the atmosphere, creating a display of moving lights in the night sky. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 Nov. 2025 For years, Weber claimed to continue to detect these waves, including when our Local Group’s closest and most recent supernova went off in 1987. Big Think, 7 Nov. 2025 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 The Edmund Fitzgerald was caught in a savage storm with hurricane-force winds around 100-mile-an-hour and waves up to 60 feet, crashing down on the freighter every four to eight seconds, says Bacon. NPR, 6 Nov. 2025 There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 31 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
  • In Seal Beach, workers built up a large sand berm, but the ocean water still made its way up to a beach boardwalk, another trouble area that can experience flooding during big swells and high tides.
    Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
  • Grace Bay consistently ranks among the world’s most beautiful beaches, partly because a barrier reef a mile offshore keeps the waters calm and free of swells.
    Vanita Salisbury, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • This reunion at an AAA event signals a new level of cooperation between WWE and the Mexican promotion.
    Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Analyst Corinne Blanchard also raised her price target to $71 per share from $68, which signals upside of 21%.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on waves

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!