as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down
the dog gave its tail a single wag before it flopped back down
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor
some wag wrote a droll satire on the scandal for the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to flap
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions
the cat's tail wagged back and forth in annoyance
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to gossip
to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature
tongues will wag as soon as word of the house's selling price gets around
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wag
Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The instant Shorty stepped inside, there were nonstop tail wags.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
What went wrong: With football being the tail that wags the dog of collegiate sports, 10 of the remaining Pac-12 schools (USC and UCLA had already announced their departure) pulled out of the conference a year and a half ago.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Noun
Image For Wynne, the buttons are not only entirely superfluous to the communication humans and dogs already have but also potentially a distraction from their natural barks and howls, their tail wags and tucks.
—Camille Bromley Gabra Zackman Krish Seenivasan David Mason, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2025
The instant Shorty stepped inside, there were nonstop tail wags.
—Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024
Verb
As soon as Jordon Hudson, dressed in a midriff-baring shimmery silver dress, and Belichick hit the red carpet, tongues were immediately wagging.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 7 Feb. 2025
What went wrong: With football being the tail that wags the dog of collegiate sports, 10 of the remaining Pac-12 schools (USC and UCLA had already announced their departure) pulled out of the conference a year and a half ago.
—Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
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Instead, Sels rose and stumbled and flapped the ball into the roof of the net, marking another low point at St James’ for the former Newcastle goalkeeper.—
Chris Waugh,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
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There are also longer hinges that are better at handling stress from the flapping wings.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
22 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Build people up, don't bring them down Low energy founders gossip behind closed doors.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes,
20 Feb. 2025
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Students gossiped about Shipps during her time on campus, the older alum said.—
Sara Coello,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Adria squinted into the side of the director’s skull, bobbing up and down in laughter at the studio man’s inaudible joke, drowned out by the engine’s din.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
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Little ones will love the splash pads and water slide area that’s just their size, and the whole family can bob around in the wave pool.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA TODAY,
10 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Upon entering the tasting room, Galloni flicked on the lights with flair.—
Marcia DeSanctis,
Travel + Leisure,
19 Feb. 2025
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True, a laser can flick from one target to the next in a fraction of a second, but identifying a weak spot and fixing the beam on it is another matter entirely.—
David Szondy,
New Atlas,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Backstreet Boys talk Las Vegas Sphere residency Support the Short List andbecome a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The human scientist can even talk with the robot about the proposals in a chatbot interface.—
Ryan Whitwam,
Ars Technica,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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However, the partnership ended in early 2025, just weeks before this heist shook the crypto sphere.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
22 Feb. 2025
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The inclusion of Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma in a meeting of private enterprise leaders chaired by China's President Xi Jinping this month, and photos of Ma shaking hands with Xi, has further raised investor confidence in Alibaba.—
Harshita Mary Varghese and Casey Hall,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the video, the robot hangs suspended from the ceiling as its limbs twitch and kick, marking what the company claims is a step toward its goal of creating household-helper robots.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
21 Feb. 2025
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The elephant is now decidedly less friendly, and is doing far more than twitching and grunting.—
Stephen Maher,
TIME,
15 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Preview Robert De Niro's Netflix thriller 'Zero Day' is a starry but dull dud: Review Patrick Schwarzenegger is 'White Lotus' Season 3 breakout, and dad Arnold is pumped Donnie Wahlberg is heading to 'Blue Bloods' Boston spinoff Ralph Macchio and William Zabka were 'Karate Kid' rivals.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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Then, as in most games, Lacroix made a point of going to them and returning the appreciation, pumping his arms in celebration.—
Matt Woosnam,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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