as in flaps
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
Relevance
as in comedians
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 waggles
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 gossips
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of wags
Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
That has, at least, spawned a rich stream of social media content, with wags across the world editing iconic cricket clips with the commentary coming before them.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
When Cody the golden retriever was introduced to his new sibling, his owner probably would have hoped for some happy tail wags and some curious sniffs to show his curiosity.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Less bending for pets + slower eating habits = better digestion and more tail wags.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
In a lot of ways, Phil is the tail that wags the dog.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
As Gino wags his finger at his estranged wife, Natalie begins to approach Jasmine.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Learn why the world wags and what wags it.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Noun
One hums with high-speed drills and anxiety; the other echoes with joyful barks and tail wags.
—Henry I. Miller, STAT, 28 Jan. 2026
That has, at least, spawned a rich stream of social media content, with wags across the world editing iconic cricket clips with the commentary coming before them.
—Nick Miller, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
When Cody the golden retriever was introduced to his new sibling, his owner probably would have hoped for some happy tail wags and some curious sniffs to show his curiosity.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025
Less bending for pets + slower eating habits = better digestion and more tail wags.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2025
Verb
When a dog repeatedly wags and whips its tail against hard surfaces, the tip can split open, bruise or break.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
In a lot of ways, Phil is the tail that wags the dog.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 Oct. 2025
As Gino wags his finger at his estranged wife, Natalie begins to approach Jasmine.
—Abigail Adams, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Learn why the world wags and what wags it.
—Literary Hub, 13 June 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wags
Verb
-
Just after lunchtime on a Saturday in November, a sea of purple braids bobs in unison, barely clearing the tops of the movie-theater seats behind them.—
Eliza Berman,
Time,
9 Dec. 2025
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The reader bobs along in the author’s stream of consciousness, riding crests of despair, anger, and hilarity as Toews assembles the shards of her past to investigate her will to write, which is deeply entwined with her will to live.—
Kristen Martin,
The Atlantic,
27 Aug. 2025
Verb
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To clean your garbage disposal, Lane suggests starting by cleaning the rubber flaps by using dish soap and a brush or an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber flaps that line the disposal.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
4 Feb. 2026
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New features like active aero (flaps that open on the front and rear wings) help forge a much closer relationship between the engine and the chassis around it.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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And no one talks much about that.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Kennedy, who is in long-term recovery from addiction to alcohol and heroin, talks frequently about his own struggles with substance use.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Earlier this week at a photo call in London, Robbie also dipped her toe into the late 1700s by way of a John Galliano brocade frock coat styled with a black mini skirt, thigh-high scarlet red stockings and satin Manolo Blahnik pumps.—
Leah Dolan,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
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Research has long shown that a constantly percolating stress response strains practically every body part, particularly your heart, which pumps harder and faster to ready you for action.—
Erica Sloan,
SELF,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As a director, his credits include A Family Man starring Gerard Butler, as well as the Liam Neeson flicks Honest Thief and Blacklight.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
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Think Judd Apatow flicks with Steve Carell and Seth Rogen, or sitcoms starring Charlie Sheen.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Also, unlike Premier Protein shakes, Fairlife shakes are suitable for anybody who’s lactose intolerant.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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The bulletin highlights the case of James Craig, who was convicted in July of poisoning his wife’s protein shakes with a mix of cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, the medication used in eye drops.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Persistent muscle twitches Everyone’s muscles twitch from time to time, usually at various locations.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
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Some devices, for example, track eye movements or other small muscle twitches to let users select words from a screen.—
Emma R. Hasson,
Scientific American,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Ross’s video does not show if the SUV made contact with him, as the camera angle jerks up to the sky.—
Danya Gainor,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
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The video suddenly jerks away as the vehicle starts to move and shots can be heard.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wags.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wags. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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