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

Kirschenbaum waxes poetic about the coconut donut, but says all varieties are delicious. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 6 May 2025

The moon is set to wax gibbous—meaning more than 50 percent illuminated—which may slightly reduce visibility when compared to a full moon. —Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 May 2025

Devon’s intrigued, but Peter’s done waxing philosophical for now. —Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025

Kennedy’s legacy includes waxing metaphysical in gay-rights cases. —Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 May 2025

Phrases Containing wax

• ball of wax