Synonyms of wave

wave 1 of 2

noun

as in swell

a moving ridge on the surface of water

the toddler was almost knocked down by the waves created by the speedboat

Synonyms & Similar Words

• swell
• surge
• tsunami
• billow
• ripple
• surf
• curl
• sea(s)
• breaker
• roller
• wavelet
• whitecap
• comber
• riffle
• ground swell
• tidal wave

wave

2 of 2

verb

ˈwāv 

as in to motion

to direct or notify by a movement or gesture

waved them over to the side of the road

Synonyms & Similar Words

• motion
• gesture
• signal
• flag
• beckon
• nod
• sign
• tell
• inform
• shrug
• gesticulate
• signalize
• flourish
• mime
• advise
• pantomime
• relate
• acquaint

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of wave

Noun

The race begins in waves at the starting point in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and takes runners through Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, and Brookline. —Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 17 Apr. 2025

The renovations will happen in waves and be completed by mid-2027. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2025

Verb

So how come those disagreements were waved away by Josh, Malone and Booth during an end-of-season news conference last May? —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2025

Hollywood has never been shy about mixing brash nationalism with over-the-top violence, a tendency best displayed in The Patriot when Mel Gibson rallies the Continental Army troops by waving a Betsy Ross flag, then uses that same flag to gore Jason Isaacs’s horse. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

Phrases Containing wave

• cold wave