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 account, SamServed, has posts that date back to November of last year, in which Smith waxes poetic about a Copenhagen restaurant called Kebabistan. —Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026

Walker worked as a janitor at Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Institute, waxing and shining the floors. —Jennifer Gonnerman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026

Hafley has previously waxed poetically about Willis who often starred as his scout team quarterback. —Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

Compared to the 29 points and six rebounds that Reaves produced – along with drawing the arguably game-sealing charge that fouled out Clippers guard Bennedict Mathurin – Smart had little to wax over. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 21 Feb. 2026

Phrases Containing wax

• ball of wax