Synonyms of wax

wax 1 of 2

verb (1)

1

as in to grease

to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction

waxing a surfboard

Synonyms & Similar Words

• grease
• oil
• lubricate
• slick
• wash
• wet
• soak
• water
• bathe
• drench
• douse
• souse

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rough
• roughen
• dry
• coarsen
• sear
• dehydrate
• parch

2

as in to cream

slang to defeat by a large margin

I can't believe I bet on a football team that ended up getting waxed 45-0

Synonyms & Similar Words

• cream
• whip
• skin
• trim
• bomb
• bury
• overcome
• dust
• shellac
• paste
• smoke
• throw
• master
• flatten
• upset
• blow away
• smother
• rout
• top
• beat
• annihilate
• thrash
• take
• snow under
• overwhelm
• skunk
• beat the pants off
• drub
• clobber
• eat alive
• cap
• run circles around
• sweep
• destroy
• trounce
• surpass
• score
• lick
• exceed
• wipe the floor with
• succeed
• best
• wallop
• worst
• whomp
• conquer
• whop
• whup
• dispatch
• better
• crush
• finish
• tromp
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• slaughter
• subdue
• surmount
• eclipse
• subjugate
• hurdle
• overtop
• overthrow
• vanquish
• knock over
• ace (out)
• transcend
• excel
• outdo
• overpower
• edge (out)
• flourish
• overbear
• outshine
• outstrip
• knock off
• outdistance
• pip
• break
• overmatch
• sink
• nose out
• upend
• outfight
• do in

wax

2 of 2

verb (2)

1

as in to increase

to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

the commitment of the young volunteers to the cause seems to wax and wane

Synonyms & Similar Words

• increase
• rise
• swell
• accelerate
• expand
• climb
• roll up
• accumulate
• multiply
• intensify
• spread
• mushroom
• mount
• balloon
• proliferate
• boom
• snowball
• gain
• build up
• enlarge
• surge
• appreciate
• escalate
• jump
• rocket
• burgeon
• bulk
• heighten
• peak
• puff (up)
• redouble
• inflate
• skyrocket
• blow up
• distend
• crest
• crescendo

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• decrease
• contract
• diminish
• recede
• lessen
• wane
• dwindle

2

as in to become

to eventually have as a state or quality

waxed poetic whenever he wrote to his girlfriend

Synonyms & Similar Words

• become
• get
• grow
• go
• come
• turn
• run
• change
• modify
• transform
• alter
• metamorphose
• transmute
• mutate
• transfigure

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• be
• remain
• continue
• stay
• linger
• abide

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of wax

Verb

The comics and their impact have waxed and waned. —Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025

Waxed or Unfinished Wood Cleaning waxed or unfinished wood with full-strength cleaning vinegar can cause discoloration and should be avoided. —Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025

Another way to cut through the noise is to use quantifiable, hard results rather than simply waxing poetic and generic. —William Jones, IndyStar, 12 Dec. 2025

Where the red ball is greased and waxed before it is finished with a thin cellulose lacquer, the white ball has extra polish applied to it and the pink ball is given a thin spray-coat of paint before they are both finished with a slightly thicker lacquer. —Matt Roller, New York Times, 1 Dec. 2025

Phrases Containing wax

• ball of wax