as in flapping
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as in motioning
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waving
ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
But the flag-waving takes on a different meaning in his tweet, making Sosa part of the propaganda machine.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The flag-waving, the face paint, the pugnacious songs, the banners, the bellicose taunts at the opponents, the arms flung out in unison foster a collective spirit that can turn violent at times.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Flag waving, immigration restriction, and culture-war rallying cries can shore up the MAGA-tech coalition, but more will be needed to achieve lasting success.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Assuming whatever creature birthed from a spider egg was also a shapeshifter would even allow the show to bring back everyone’s favorite dancing clown in a modern-day context without too much hand-waving.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Some 65,000 fans reveling in SDFC’s six goals scored and vibing off the supporter groups’ chants, drum-banging and flag-waving.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Males and females both wave their legs and the waving was not related to courtship or competition.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
In both chambers, Democratic lawmakers protested the bill by blaring airhorns, waving signs, shouting at Republican members, and leaving the chamber.
—Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
On Wednesday, dissident artists Pussy Riot stormed the Russian pavilion while waving Ukrainian flags and calling for disobedience.
—News Desk, Artforum, 6 May 2026
The criticism came as tensions spilled into the streets Tuesday night outside Park East Synagogue, where anti-Israel protesters faced off with police while pro-Israel demonstrators stood nearby waving Israeli and American flags.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
On election night, thousands celebrated in the streets, waving flags and blasting music written by Orbán’s outspoken critics.
—Alexandra Levy, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Streets were lined with families waving flags, riding motorcycles and gathering in large numbers.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Kevin Durant waving bye to Deandre Ayton after he was ejected from the game.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
No term sheet waving in the wind yet.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
It also has been roiled by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, stirring protests outside the venues and forcing organizers to clamp down on political flag-waving.
—ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026
But the flag-waving takes on a different meaning in his tweet, making Sosa part of the propaganda machine.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 2026
The flag-waving, the face paint, the pugnacious songs, the banners, the bellicose taunts at the opponents, the arms flung out in unison foster a collective spirit that can turn violent at times.
—Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026
Flag waving, immigration restriction, and culture-war rallying cries can shore up the MAGA-tech coalition, but more will be needed to achieve lasting success.
—Walter Russell Mead, The Atlantic, 24 Jan. 2026
Assuming whatever creature birthed from a spider egg was also a shapeshifter would even allow the show to bring back everyone’s favorite dancing clown in a modern-day context without too much hand-waving.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Some 65,000 fans reveling in SDFC’s six goals scored and vibing off the supporter groups’ chants, drum-banging and flag-waving.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Nov. 2025
Males and females both wave their legs and the waving was not related to courtship or competition.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Sitting on a small log in the center of the forest, surrounded by softly waving trees and whistling birds, Bob Berkebile wrote a letter no one will ever read.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 May 2026
In both chambers, Democratic lawmakers protested the bill by blaring airhorns, waving signs, shouting at Republican members, and leaving the chamber.
—Joseph Nepomuceno, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 2026
On Wednesday, dissident artists Pussy Riot stormed the Russian pavilion while waving Ukrainian flags and calling for disobedience.
—News Desk, Artforum, 6 May 2026
The criticism came as tensions spilled into the streets Tuesday night outside Park East Synagogue, where anti-Israel protesters faced off with police while pro-Israel demonstrators stood nearby waving Israeli and American flags.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 6 May 2026
On election night, thousands celebrated in the streets, waving flags and blasting music written by Orbán’s outspoken critics.
—Alexandra Levy, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 May 2026
Streets were lined with families waving flags, riding motorcycles and gathering in large numbers.
—Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 3 May 2026
Kevin Durant waving bye to Deandre Ayton after he was ejected from the game.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
No term sheet waving in the wind yet.
—Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waving
Noun
-
With the skin flapping, his words, not mine, the medical staff went full MacGyver on Buckberger.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Somatic shaking can look a little different from one person to the next, but usually involves a few minutes of wildly uncoordinated jumping, arm flapping, and foot stomping.—
Tom Gavin,
EverydayHealth.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
Anunoby was having another strong game Wednesday before appearing to suffer a leg injury and motioning to come out of the game.—
CBS New York Team,
CBS News,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
For all his bobbing and flailing, and sensitive shaping of the music, conductor Christian Capocaccia evinced little attention to singers.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
But his role was not to fix a flailing business, but, rather, to keep a roaring flame alive.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Virtually every modern presidency has understood this, leaning into discretion and gesturing toward transparency even as new security measures have been unfurled over time.—
Neil Flanagan,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
-
Though Washington is revered today, his position was extremely fragile at the time, Kesten said, gesturing at an image of a painting of von Steuben and Washington.—
Amanda Rosa
Updated April 28,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waving. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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