1
as in greases
to coat (something) with a slippery substance in order to reduce friction
waxing a surfboard
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in whips
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
1
as in increases
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in becomes
to eventually have as a state or quality
waxed poetic whenever he wrote to his girlfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waxes
Li Goldstein, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Feb. 2026
In his op-ed reflecting on the texts, the secretary takes to task the Westminster establishment that allowed Mandelson’s selection, but also waxes philosophical about sexism, diversity, and inclusion.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
At the start of the interview, Hartley recounted his famous scene with Hahn, 52, from 2017's A Bad Moms Christmas, in which Hahn's character, Carla, waxes his character's crotch.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
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
In his op-ed reflecting on the texts, the secretary takes to task the Westminster establishment that allowed Mandelson’s selection, but also waxes philosophical about sexism, diversity, and inclusion.
—Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026
At the start of the interview, Hartley recounted his famous scene with Hahn, 52, from 2017's A Bad Moms Christmas, in which Hahn's character, Carla, waxes his character's crotch.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waxes
Verb
-
View this post on Instagram Access greases the gears of the entire apparatus by creating its own positive feedback loop, like an ouroboros of exclusivity.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
No eyeball-grabbing videos, no partisan commentary or agenda, and none of the edge or snark that greases the gears of the perpetual-political-outrage machine.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In the fourth minute, Meschack Elia whips a ball across the box to Bakambu, eight yards from goal.—
Franklin Leonard,
Vanity Fair,
14 May 2026
-
Stephen Fry whips out his phone to snag a picture with Johnny Knoxville inside the Fox Upfront 2026 afterparty in New York City on May 11.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
This increases your visibility to potential rescuers.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
-
Brain activity also increases during a stress response, making movements which are usually automatic less so, and perhaps even slower.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
The 27-year-old becomes the youngest American to win four majors since 1960.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
This is where Rogelberg’s reporting becomes critical for retirement planning.—
Jon Sabes,
Fortune,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Ramakrishnan typically oils her hair twice a week before washing it.—
Katie Hill,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Snow sometimes dusts the surrounding slopes, melting by afternoon into damp earth as manzanita and mountain lilac begin to flower.—
Josh Jackson,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
-
To demonstrate, Ejae smiles to form creases below her eyes, then dusts some brown powder onto the area.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike that hit Qlaileh village as seen from the southern port city of Tyre, Lebanon, on Tuesday.—
Chantal Da Silva,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
-
According to the sign on the set before the curtain rises, the population of Jerome, an actual former copper-mining town in central Arizona, has evaporated, giving it ghost status.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Details and design reflect that philosophy, from the wood fire burning in reception and the garden where your dinner grows to the private onsen steaming quietly while snow falls just feet away.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 May 2026
-
There is an anticipation of a logjam of players in the coming season or two, as the clock starts ticking on the eligibility of 19-year-olds, and their desperation to join a college roster grows.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waxes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waxes. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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