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
• overcome
• bury
• bomb
• dust
• shellac
• paste
• smoke
• throw
• master
• flatten
• blow away
• upset
• smother
• rout
• beat
• top
• annihilate
• thrash
• snow under
• take
• skunk
• overwhelm
• beat the pants off
• drub
• clobber
• eat alive
• run circles around
• cap
• trounce
• sweep
• destroy
• lick
• score
• surpass
• wipe the floor with
• exceed
• wallop
• best
• whomp
• succeed
• worst
• whop
• whup
• conquer
• better
• dispatch
• crush
• tromp
• finish
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• subdue
• slaughter
• 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

With the benefit of hindsight, music journalists are now waxing nostalgic about more recent eras. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Never use bags that are glossy, shiny, waxed, or printed with bright, colorful inks. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 27 Sep. 2026

Back to basics on The Daily Show Not to wax nostalgic, but back in my day, The Daily Show was mostly a cavalcade of weirdos consenting to be filmed while comedians played right in their face. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

Occasionally, historians of the British film industry can wax understandably nostalgic for this period, when public funding, via the BBC, could be channelled toward such edgy and experimental projects and their creators. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing wax

• ball of wax