as in motioning
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in flapping
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waving
Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The humanoid displays visual recognition capabilities during this instance, reacting to a wave by waving back and performing human-like locomotion by imitating humans.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
For centuries, islanders lined fishing docks below the castle, waving handkerchiefs at ships setting sail for America.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
During the Jaguars’ 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Lawrence was seen waving off Coen after throwing an inaccurate pass on a crucial down late in the game.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Once Kirk’s body arrived in Phoenix, it was transported to a local mortuary chapel with a motorcade escort, with mourners lining the way and his wife, Erika Frantzve, waving to supporters.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Trump later signed a baseball and applauded Aaron Judge's home run, waving his arms while speaking with box guests before taking a seat.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 12 Sep. 2025
On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Males and females both wave their legs and the waving was not related to courtship or competition.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
There are already around 10,000 Fenerbahce diehards filling the stadium with noise some 90 minutes before kick off, waving humungous flags and singing along to dodgy Euro pop, at a time when the Etihad will only just be opening its doors to a smattering of eager fans.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The humanoid displays visual recognition capabilities during this instance, reacting to a wave by waving back and performing human-like locomotion by imitating humans.
—Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 15 Sep. 2025
Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by shouting or waving your arms.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 15 Sep. 2025
For centuries, islanders lined fishing docks below the castle, waving handkerchiefs at ships setting sail for America.
—Lauren Frayer, NPR, 14 Sep. 2025
During the Jaguars’ 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Lawrence was seen waving off Coen after throwing an inaccurate pass on a crucial down late in the game.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 14 Sep. 2025
Once Kirk’s body arrived in Phoenix, it was transported to a local mortuary chapel with a motorcade escort, with mourners lining the way and his wife, Erika Frantzve, waving to supporters.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
Trump later signed a baseball and applauded Aaron Judge's home run, waving his arms while speaking with box guests before taking a seat.
—Jillian Frankel, People.com, 12 Sep. 2025
On average, the matador bugs increased their waving behavior seven times more in the presence of the predatory mantids.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waving
Noun
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Its name, Albatross, pays tribute to the massive seabird known for its ability to travel thousands of miles across the open ocean without much wing-flapping.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Sep. 2025
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When the wing flapping became incessant, the DNR team knew the eagles were just about ready.—
Sophie Hartley,
IndyStar,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As the Astros celebrated, and as music blared and fireworks went off, Chisholm got close to Walsh, yelling and gesturing with his hands.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
4 Sep. 2025
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During a banquet dinner Sunday evening, Xi warmly greeted Putin and was seen gesturing expressively in conversation with the Russian leader.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Clark, who knelt beside Foo 30 years ago when the surfer was pulled lifeless from the sea, watched Slebir’s epic ride that day from the back of a Sea-Doo, set up to pull flailing surfers aboard.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
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In its anguished flailing, the memoir managed to burn bridges with his father, brother, and stepmother overnight.—
Alexander Larman,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waving. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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