How is the word wave distinct from other similar verbs?
Some common synonyms of wave are brandish, flourish, swing, and thrash. While all these words mean "to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down," wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion.
waving the flag
In what contexts can brandish take the place of wave?
Although the words brandish and wave have much in common, brandish implies threatening or menacing motion.
brandishing a knife
When could flourish be used to replace wave?
The words flourish and wave are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement.
flourished the winning lottery ticket
When can swing be used instead of wave?
The words swing and wave can be used in similar contexts, but swing implies regular or uniform movement.
swing the rope back and forth
When is it sensible to use thrash instead of wave?
The meanings of thrash and wave largely overlap; however, thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement.
an infant thrashing his arms about
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wave
Noun
The second wave of feminism continued into the 70s, birthing key milestones like the publication of Gloria Steinem’s Ms. magazine and the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade.—Christina Hillsberg, People.com, 16 June 2025 If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.—Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 16 June 2025
Verb
Passing cars honked in solidarity as at least 100 people waved and hoisted signs denouncing Trump, ICE and the Douglas County home-rule proposition that's now on the ballot, at the intersection of Parker and Twenty Mile roads.—Katie Langford, Denver Post, 14 June 2025 As the Anaheim demonstration grew, some people climbed street poles to wave Mexican flags and around a dozen others stood in the middle of the street as cars drove by.—Michele Cardon, Oc Register, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for wave
In 2019, a year after swells of protests swept through universities in Chile, a group of women, many of them blindfolded, took over the streets of Valparaiso, a coastal city in the country, to dance and sing a song that would go on to become an anthem.
—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
25 May 2025
The day passes uneventfully — though the swell makes waters choppy, guests are still able to enjoy the water toys.
The second hurricane of the Pacific season is expected to arrive along the coast east of Acapulco with destructive winds, life-threatening storm surge, and flash flooding.
—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
19 June 2025
His predominantly younger, male audience parallels a surge in votes seen for Trump in the 2024 election: 56 percent of young men voted for Trump in the 2024 election, per the Associated Press.
Walker Mitchell was at bat with two outs and Sebastian Alexander had just stolen second base when Schnall went to the top steps of the dugout, gestured at plate umpire Angel Campos with three fingers and began shouting at him.
—
Eric Olson,
Chicago Tribune,
22 June 2025
Bayern Munich's English forward #09 Harry Kane gestures during the Club World Cup 2025 Group C football match between Germany's Bayern Munich and New Zealand's Auckland City at the TQL stadium in Cincinnati on June...
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