as in swells
a moving ridge on the surface of water
the toddler was almost knocked down by the waves created by the speedboat
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in motions
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waves
Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Now, a new King adaptation directed by I Am Legend and Hunger Games franchise helmer Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling) is making waves for putting a fresh spin on the ending of the 1979 book on which it's based.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which closed in 2022, followed an unsettled three-year stretch when AT&T also had turned things upside-down and let waves of talented execs walk out the door.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
To add an extra touch of elegance, Sánchez wore her hair in loose waves, paired with natural makeup.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Fleeting waves of normalcy in a sea of confusion.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Tents stretch two miles inland from the sea, where people live just feet from waves.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In Lake Michigan, beach-goers from Manistee County south to Berrien County should beware of strong rip currents, waves up to 6 feet high and gusts reaching 25 knots (28 mph).
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In Michigan, waves up to five feet high are possible by late Tuesday evening in Berrien county.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Much of Israel’s viewing public knows that something terrible is taking place in Gaza, but waves it away.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Noun
The payments, now being issued in waves, come nearly five years after Meta, Facebook's parent company, was first accused of allowing third-party access to user information without consent.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Now, a new King adaptation directed by I Am Legend and Hunger Games franchise helmer Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner (Strange Darling) is making waves for putting a fresh spin on the ending of the 1979 book on which it's based.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
The $43 billion WarnerMedia-Discovery merger, which closed in 2022, followed an unsettled three-year stretch when AT&T also had turned things upside-down and let waves of talented execs walk out the door.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
To add an extra touch of elegance, Sánchez wore her hair in loose waves, paired with natural makeup.
—Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
There can be 30 minutes of small waves before a sneaker wave strikes.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Fleeting waves of normalcy in a sea of confusion.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
An Atlantic Ocean devoid of swirling tropical waves is a welcome but unusual sight for mid-September.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025
Tents stretch two miles inland from the sea, where people live just feet from waves.
—Josh Holder, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
After the Hunt star Andrew Garfield waves to attendees of the red carpet premiere of the film in Venice on Friday.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025
In Lake Michigan, beach-goers from Manistee County south to Berrien County should beware of strong rip currents, waves up to 6 feet high and gusts reaching 25 knots (28 mph).
—Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 29 Aug. 2025
In Michigan, waves up to five feet high are possible by late Tuesday evening in Berrien county.
—Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Aug. 2025
Much of Israel’s viewing public knows that something terrible is taking place in Gaza, but waves it away.
—Ruth Margalit, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waves
Noun
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Kiritehere is a black sand beach, wild and prone to powerful swells that amateur surfers dare not attempt.—
Todd Symons,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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Dangerous conditions from the building swells will be concentrated along the eastern shores of the islands, forecasters said.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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For her performance about an hour later, Gaga returned on video from MSG and in the middle of the red and black motif that signals the opening of her Mayhem Ball tour.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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Fall in Michigan means less and less daylight as the season goes on and for many that signals the start of seasonal mental health struggles, though coping strategies can help, experts say.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waves. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.
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