new wave

noun

variants often New Wave
Synonyms of new wavenext
1
: a cinematic movement that is characterized by improvisation, abstraction, and subjective symbolism and that often makes use of experimental photographic techniques
2
: a new movement in a particular field
3
: popular music less raw than punk rock and typically including unconventional melodies, exaggerated beats, and quirky lyrics
4
: dernier cri
especially : fashion that is strikingly outrageous
new-wave
ˈnü-ˈwāv How to pronounce new wave (audio)
ˈnyü-
-ˌwāv
adjective
new waver noun

Examples of new wave in a Sentence

people who listened to punk, New Wave, or disco
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many of us coming out of punk [were] into that kind of new wave post-punk period. David Chiu, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026 As a counterweight to the headmasterly arrogance of the NSFC, Thompson makes a fair point with a fabulous split-screen montage showing how the radical new wave of independent filmmaking coming out of America in 1970 made Ryan’s Daughter seem hopelessly antiquated. David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026 In a way, the first group of new wave bands that got labelled punk, maybe one out of five were actually punk. Peter Larsen, Daily News, 27 May 2026 The film, which screened at a number of global festivals, has been credited for opening the door for a new wave of Japanese ultra-violent horror and science-fiction cinema. Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for new wave

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of new wave was in 1960

Cite this Entry

“New wave.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/new%20wave. Accessed 29 May. 2026.

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