as in to flap
to move from side to side or up and down with quick jerky motions
the rabbit waggled its ears and hopped away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of waggle
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The observations revealed that elephants greeted one another with specific combinations of vocalizations and gestures, such as rumbles with ear-flapping or ear-spreading, as well as other seemingly less deliberate physical movements, such as tail-raising and waggling, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Noun
The silence of the forest might be interrupted with a siren salute from a passing law enforcement helicopter, or a wing waggle from firefighting aircraft passing en route to a fire.
—Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Verb
These massive mammals greet each other with a mix of gestures and sounds—by flapping their ears, making rumbling noises, waggling their tails and reaching out their trunks, scientists reported last week in the journal Communications Biology.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The observations revealed that elephants greeted one another with specific combinations of vocalizations and gestures, such as rumbles with ear-flapping or ear-spreading, as well as other seemingly less deliberate physical movements, such as tail-raising and waggling, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
-
And yes, some plastic surgeons are apt to regale you with tales of their bespoke extended, vertical vector, composite flap, scarless, mystery, reset lift.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
28 May 2025
-
Depending on the model, the cup holder may be integrated into the armrest, attached to the frame or part of an accessory flap.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
19 May 2025
Verb
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Shakespeare’s world-weary wags spoke truth to King Lear and other royals, while the heyoka, the holy fool of many Sioux tribes, inverted day-to-day logic to provoke healing laughter.—
Michael Snyder,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
-
When it was all said and done and Yorkie gave one final wag of her tail, she was revealed to be Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, singer, and actress Erika Jayne.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The early symptoms include muscle weakness, cramps, twitching, stiff muscles, speech challenges, trouble swallowing, and drooling.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 June 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Unlike gas plants, coal plants can’t be easily turned on and off with the flip of a switch and take time to ramp up and come online.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 June 2025
-
While consumers may need more time—and more education—to feel confident about making the switch, the benefits of EVs haven’t changed.—
Melanie Marshall,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
During the argument, Goins swung the golf club at Jones, a witness told police.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 June 2025
-
Reserve forward Obi Toppin helped swing the game, draining five 3s off the bench.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
The song blew up partly because people devised a choreography for it, and a user deployed AI to make The Beastly Senior wiggle to it.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
14 May 2025
-
And Hampton, a 221-pound hammer with speed and wiggle, can be both at the same time.—
Nick Baumgardner,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
John asked rhetorically as Tyrese swished jump shots in an empty gym.—
Eric Nehm,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
-
It’s believed that there are now more than 100 baby trout swishing around their new digs in Arroyo Hondo Creek in Santa Barbara County.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share