as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down
the dog gave its tail a single wag before it flopped back down
Synonyms & Similar Words
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as in comedian
a person (as a writer) noted for or specializing in humor
some wag wrote a droll satire on the scandal for the newspaper
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to flap
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions
the cat's tail wagged back and forth in annoyance
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in to gossip
to relate sometimes questionable or secret information of a personal nature
tongues will wag as soon as word of the house's selling price gets around
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wag
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
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
Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
And based on the shadows in the crate, the dog appeared to be wagging its tail, soaking up all the attention in an unfamiliar setting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Noun
According to Sweetie Pet Products, the position, speed, and direction of a wag all contribute to a canine's overall body language.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
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
Verb
Johnson huddled on the House floor with a large group of the holdouts, leaning over from the aisle to speak to Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), who appeared frustrated, wagging his pointer finger.
—Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 10 Apr. 2025
And based on the shadows in the crate, the dog appeared to be wagging its tail, soaking up all the attention in an unfamiliar setting.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Verb
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The car journey to the house, with a sheet of plastic taped over a broken window flapping noisily, is nerve-rattling, even more so because what follows is played out offscreen.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
10 June 2025
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The culminating 1950s dance in the school gym gets into high-energy flapping hoop skirt territory.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Vibrant personalities aboard the bus and later in Lagos replace the muggy atmosphere of their rural home, the low hum of passengers gossiping and rapidly exchanging political opinions supplanting the buzz of insects as a sonic backdrop.—
Lovia Gyarkye,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
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This was followed by 64 percent of people gossiping about friends, and 58 percent about their bosses.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Well, not bobbed, strictly; more of a lob, a fresh summer cut that’s perfect for the beach, the ultimate wash-and-go style.—
Elizabeth Logan,
Glamour,
3 June 2025
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Audio was also released of the pilot’s mayday and responders’ attempts to locate the pair, who bobbed in the 60-degree waters, wearing lifejackets, for nearly half an hour after the plane sank beneath them.—
Theresa Braine,
New York Daily News,
3 June 2025
Verb
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One finish, in particular, for Livingston against Hamilton Academical in March 2021, is a reminder of his eye for the spectacular: flicking the ball up, with his back to goal, then firing a swivelling volley into the roof of the net.—
Stuart James,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
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In some of the most creepy moments of the show, every single one of those lights can be flicked off to achieve complete darkness.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
2 June 2025
Verb
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Mouth can also talk his way out of issues and has a flair for foreign languages, like any smooth-talking Sag.—
Lisa Stardust,
People.com,
7 June 2025
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At one point, Chris Rock’s character, Rufus, is talking to Bethany about the difference between having a belief and having an idea.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
7 June 2025
Verb
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Carnal, with care – Jis shook the bedrock of the cordial, conservative Guadalajara community with filth, camp and candor.—
Holly Jones,
Variety,
9 June 2025
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Some shook their legs nervously, others gave death glares to folks with the misfortune of sitting on creaky chairs.—
Omkar Khandekar,
NPR,
8 June 2025
Verb
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The early symptoms include muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, stiff muscles, speech challenges, trouble swallowing, and drooling.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
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Camouflaged among desert rocks, the deadly illusionist extends its spider-like tail into the open and twitches it to summon hungry insect-eating birds.—
Ryley Graham,
Smithsonian Magazine,
29 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Meta is pumping $14.3 billion into Scale AI as part of the deal, and will have a 49% stake in the artificial intelligence startup, but will not have any voting power, a Scale AI spokesperson said.—
Jonathan Vanian,
CNBC,
13 June 2025
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This disrupts the heart's pumping action and stops blood flow through the body.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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