1
as in greasing
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 whipping
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 increasing
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 becoming
to eventually have as a state or quality
waxed poetic whenever he wrote to his girlfriend
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of waxing
Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
Among them are waxing and electrolysis.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Murray turned up at 2023 Nuggets Media Day waxing about his love of mixed martial arts.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Critics are waxing nostalgic for the edgy and outrageous comments of social critic humorists such as Dick Gregory, Mort Sahl, George Carlin, and Don Imus, forgetting that none of those figures were ever the host of a broadcast network TV show.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Shannon is having a blast on the ride inland, showing off her missing tooth and waxing about how her father wanted to buy an avocado mountain and develop it into homes.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Skywatchers on Saturday night will be treated to the gorgeous sight of a waxing crescent moon close to Antares, an unmistakably bright red supergiant star shining in the south.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Antares will shine as a bright red point of light roughly 5 degrees to the upper left of the waxing moon.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The waxing scene is such a popular one.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Verb
Not so at Brooklyn Horror, where Timms avoids taking credit and instead heaps praise on his organizers and volunteers… while waxing poetic on the redemptive quality of rats.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Oct. 2025
Among them are waxing and electrolysis.
—Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 16 Oct. 2025
Murray turned up at 2023 Nuggets Media Day waxing about his love of mixed martial arts.
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
Critics are waxing nostalgic for the edgy and outrageous comments of social critic humorists such as Dick Gregory, Mort Sahl, George Carlin, and Don Imus, forgetting that none of those figures were ever the host of a broadcast network TV show.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2025
Shannon is having a blast on the ride inland, showing off her missing tooth and waxing about how her father wanted to buy an avocado mountain and develop it into homes.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2025
Skywatchers on Saturday night will be treated to the gorgeous sight of a waxing crescent moon close to Antares, an unmistakably bright red supergiant star shining in the south.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Antares will shine as a bright red point of light roughly 5 degrees to the upper left of the waxing moon.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 Aug. 2025
The waxing scene is such a popular one.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waxing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waxing. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share