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
• dowse
• 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
• shellac
• whip
• skin
• trim
• bomb
• bury
• overcome
• dust
• paste
• smoke
• master
• throw
• flatten
• blow away
• snow under
• smother
• rout
• top
• beat
• upset
• annihilate
• thrash
• clobber
• trounce
• take
• skunk
• beat the pants off
• wallop
• overwhelm
• drub
• eat alive
• whup
• cap
• run circles around
• run rings around
• sweep
• surpass
• destroy
• whap
• exceed
• wipe the floor with
• lick
• score
• succeed
• whomp
• wipe the ground with
• whop
• conquer
• best
• dispatch
• crush
• better
• worst
• tromp
• finish
• prevail (over)
• win (against)
• triumph (over)
• subdue
• overbear
• slaughter
• surmount
• hurdle
• eclipse
• subjugate
• overtop
• vanquish
• overthrow
• knock over
• ace (out)
• transcend
• excel
• outdo
• overpower
• edge (out)
• flourish
• outshine
• outstrip
• knock off
• upend
• outdistance
• pip
• break
• overmatch
• sink
• nose out
• 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
• climb
• expand
• mushroom
• balloon
• roll up
• accumulate
• multiply
• intensify
• spread
• snowball
• mount
• boom
• proliferate
• bourgeon
• surge
• gain
• build up
• enlarge
• escalate
• appreciate
• jump
• rocket
• burgeon
• heighten
• bulk
• skyrocket
• peak
• puff (up)
• redouble
• distend
• inflate
• blow up
• 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

In long-term relationships, motivation naturally waxes and wanes. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 31 July 2025

Pete Fairbanks, the team’s long-time closer, waxed sentimentally Wednesday night about the loss of a friend in the locker catty cornered to Littell’s. —Barry M. Bloom, Sportico.com, 31 July 2025

The moon is currently in its waxing crescent phase, at 16% illumination, according to Space.com. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 July 2025

In October, when Kmart closed its last stores, Stewart waxed nostalgically with WWD on how launching her brand at the discounter in 1987 really put her on the map in terms of appealing to the masses. —David Moin, Footwear News, 25 July 2025

Phrases Containing wax

• ball of wax