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
Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
The standalone structure was perched right on the edge of the pool and just a few dozen feet from the crashing waves.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
The Basij force has led the crushing of waves of anti-government protests, including ones in January.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
In the past, waves of automation have prompted employment transitions and reskilling efforts.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Yellow Wood Partners is also understood to still want to make waves in beauty.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 10 Mar. 2026
At this point, model data shows three 'waves' of storms that come through, with each progressive wave stronger than the last.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Yates' words about tying a millstone around your neck and throwing yourself into the sea hang in the salty air as Linda dives into the crashing waves.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Atefeh Imani of Iran waves to fans in the stands during the team's match against the Philippines yesterday.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 11 Feb. 2026
Dancer Natalie Reid approaches to take the barstool beside her, but Swift waves her away because the seat is reserved for her stone.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The agent who appeared to be de-escalating a separate agent turns attention to the agent deploying pepper spray and waves him down.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Altman almost waves away these grim tolls as an inevitable consequence of the product’s popularity.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 21 Jan. 2026
Good, in the driver’s seat, waves cars past her.
—Frank Matt, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
One of the all-time greatest Stranger Things moments occurs when Dipshit Derek excitedly waves at his new best friend, Mike Wheeler.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
On Lake Huron, waves up to 17 feet high are expected Tuesday.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025
When Charlene waves him off, indicating the plan was a trap, Chris’s world collapses.
—Jesse Raub, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Noun
Israel retaliated with large waves of airstrikes and Israeli troops captured several new posts in southern Lebanon.
—Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
The standalone structure was perched right on the edge of the pool and just a few dozen feet from the crashing waves.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
The Basij force has led the crushing of waves of anti-government protests, including ones in January.
—ABC News, 10 Mar. 2026
In the past, waves of automation have prompted employment transitions and reskilling efforts.
—Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Yellow Wood Partners is also understood to still want to make waves in beauty.
—Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 10 Mar. 2026
At this point, model data shows three 'waves' of storms that come through, with each progressive wave stronger than the last.
—Ron Smiley, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
Yates' words about tying a millstone around your neck and throwing yourself into the sea hang in the salty air as Linda dives into the crashing waves.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Atefeh Imani of Iran waves to fans in the stands during the team's match against the Philippines yesterday.
—Yarden Segev, NBC news, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
Every now and again, a brand-new book waves its knowing hand.
—Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 11 Feb. 2026
Dancer Natalie Reid approaches to take the barstool beside her, but Swift waves her away because the seat is reserved for her stone.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
The agent who appeared to be de-escalating a separate agent turns attention to the agent deploying pepper spray and waves him down.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Altman almost waves away these grim tolls as an inevitable consequence of the product’s popularity.
—Frank Landymore, Futurism, 21 Jan. 2026
Good, in the driver’s seat, waves cars past her.
—Frank Matt, NBC news, 9 Jan. 2026
One of the all-time greatest Stranger Things moments occurs when Dipshit Derek excitedly waves at his new best friend, Mike Wheeler.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2026
On Lake Huron, waves up to 17 feet high are expected Tuesday.
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 16 Dec. 2025
When Charlene waves him off, indicating the plan was a trap, Chris’s world collapses.
—Jesse Raub, The Atlantic, 15 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waves
Noun
-
Outside those emotional swells, the family was relieved to be together, and free of the dread that had hung over them in New York.—
Caitlin Dickerson,
The Atlantic,
3 Mar. 2026
-
From familiar orchestral swells to ritualized envelope openings, Hollywood’s annual night at the Dolby is uniquely suited for nocturnal drifting.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Outside of these scenarios, taking melatonin may not have as much upside—your brain is already making the melatonin that signals sleepy time each evening, and adding more simply presses the same button.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Analyst Keith Bachman also hiked his price target to $97 from $83, which signals upside of 22%.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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