as in to flap
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions
the rabbit waggled its ears and hopped away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waggle
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
And Adem Bona was a whirling dervish of a double-double, dropping in an and-one layup as the Trojans tried to chip away into a second-half lead, slapping his bicep and waggling his tongue and visibly sucking the life out of Galen.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Noun
The silence of the forest might be interrupted with a siren salute from a passing law enforcement helicopter, or a wing waggle from firefighting aircraft passing en route to a fire.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Verb
This part of the design also imparts a nice waggling action via its thin paddle tail.
—David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024
And Adem Bona was a whirling dervish of a double-double, dropping in an and-one layup as the Trojans tried to chip away into a second-half lead, slapping his bicep and waggling his tongue and visibly sucking the life out of Galen.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
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The toddler then puts their clothes in the tool, folds over the flap in order, and—voila—Mom has one less item to fold.—
Beth Ann Mayer,
Parents,
13 Mar. 2025
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During that mission, the company sought to test significant upgrades to Starship, including new forward flaps and larger propellant tanks.—
Bradley Iger,
Ars Technica,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The Chelsea captain picked out Mac Allister’s darting run, and the Liverpool midfielder flicked the ball cleverly over a desperate Bento.—
Felipe Cardenas,
New York Times,
26 Mar. 2025
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Masterminded by hairstylist Peter Burkill, a fair few inches have been eliminated from Brown’s mane, leaving her with a thick and voluminous chin-grazing bob that gently flicks inwards towards the ends.—
Ranyechi Udemezue,
Vogue,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Local wags in the Tahoe region wryly simplify the options: Go to the end of your driveway and turn right or turn left.—
CalMatters,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
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Behind the fence, his littermates and an older dog wag their tails, seemingly aware of the bittersweet goodbye.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the footage, the faceless android is seen suspended from the ceiling, its limbs twitching and moving in an unsettlingly human-like manner.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
Fox News,
11 Mar. 2025
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Something similar happened to Lindon’s recreation of a Picasso painting: His hand twitched, tearing the work to pieces.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Making the switch from using press releases as tactical news vehicles to strategically leveraging them as long-lead PR tools allows companies to stay ahead of the pack.—
Daniel Lotzof,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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But for many doctors making the switch, the concierge membership model is the only way to have the kind of personal relationships with patients that attracted them to the profession in the first place.—
Karen Brown,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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With Orlando trailing by 2 points less than a minute into the fourth quarter at Spectrum Center following a disastrous third, Hornets guard LaMelo Ball looked to swing the ball to Nick Smith Jr. waiting in the corner.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
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Still no timetable on anything, but he’s been able to swing the bat and feel like there’s been some steady improvement day after day.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Alana Kaplan, the head judge and moderator, asked the kids to make a funny face to get their wiggles out.—
Clara-Sophia Daly,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2025
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If a detector shows a star wiggling back and forth, and if these wiggles occur with regularity, the signal is a good indication that there is a planet in orbit, tugging on its host.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
30 Dec. 2011
Verb
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Toppin scored 34 points and swished 7 of 10 3-pointers, including his game winner from distance to help Indiana snap the Wolves’ eight-game winning streak.—
Zach Powell,
The Athletic,
17 Mar. 2025
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Steph Curry, down 17 as Orlando shot the lights out, took a dribble and launched a heave from beyond halfcourt, swishing in a miracle at the end of the first half.—
Danny Emerman,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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