as in motioned
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
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 waved
Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
But publicly, Broncos head coach Sean Payton treated news of Justin Herbert’s Sunday absence with a waved hand and a shrug.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Jan. 2026
As a helicopter carrying hostages to the Ichilov hospital flew overhead, crowds cheered, applauded and waved flags.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
The waved walls in Calce Romana serving as a shoe display are inspired by the unfolding of leather rolls and the facade of the Fendi footwear factory in Fermo, in Italy’s Marche region.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
The green and white waved floors lead you into a sparkling, velvet-upholstered dining room.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025
Some waved flags, some rode on shoulders and, over the noise, dozens tried in vain to call back home where the sun was just rising.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Large trucks carried the on-display coffins through the heart of Tehran as crowds dressed in black and waved flags.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Among the many waved and gelled hairstyles, Simone Biles and Bad Bunny also championed the look.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 6 May 2025
Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Some attendees waved American or Mexican flags.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Supporters waved Taiwanese flags and held banners backing the submarine program.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
In that one, police said the thieves waved guns and fired four rounds at the owner.
—Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
His mistake, a potentially serious one, gets waved off.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Fireworks illuminated the pre-dawn sky, and then, characters waved us by.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 26 Jan. 2026
Passing cars honked and waved in support.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds and held up and waved around without any regard for his feelings, welfare, or instincts.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Adjective
After Trump’s press conference about U.S. actions in Venezuela, people still gathered outside the Doral restaurant and sang, danced and waved flags.
—Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
But publicly, Broncos head coach Sean Payton treated news of Justin Herbert’s Sunday absence with a waved hand and a shrug.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 1 Jan. 2026
As a helicopter carrying hostages to the Ichilov hospital flew overhead, crowds cheered, applauded and waved flags.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
The waved walls in Calce Romana serving as a shoe display are inspired by the unfolding of leather rolls and the facade of the Fendi footwear factory in Fermo, in Italy’s Marche region.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
The green and white waved floors lead you into a sparkling, velvet-upholstered dining room.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Aug. 2025
Some waved flags, some rode on shoulders and, over the noise, dozens tried in vain to call back home where the sun was just rising.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 8 July 2025
Large trucks carried the on-display coffins through the heart of Tehran as crowds dressed in black and waved flags.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
Among the many waved and gelled hairstyles, Simone Biles and Bad Bunny also championed the look.
—Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 6 May 2025
Verb
Twin waved at them, and finally the police spotted her hiding in plain sight, standing beside her neighbors.
—Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Some attendees waved American or Mexican flags.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 29 Jan. 2026
Supporters waved Taiwanese flags and held banners backing the submarine program.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 Jan. 2026
In that one, police said the thieves waved guns and fired four rounds at the owner.
—Marissa Sulek, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
His mistake, a potentially serious one, gets waved off.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Fireworks illuminated the pre-dawn sky, and then, characters waved us by.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 26 Jan. 2026
Passing cars honked and waved in support.
—Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Yet every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds and held up and waved around without any regard for his feelings, welfare, or instincts.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waved
Adjective
-
This super cute manicure features red, coral, and pink wavy stripes going down the middle of each nail like a winding road, while little white hearts and dots dance down the line.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
-
It’s designed with a round neck and a pleated, wavy texture that gives it an elevated look, perfect for dressier itineraries.—
Jasmine Gomez,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
As Kupp motioned to the other side of the formation, corner Josh Wallace followed him all the way across, which gave Darnold a major man tell.—
Ted Nguyen,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Mims motioned from the right slot to outside on the left.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor kicked off the ceremony with a brief speech thanking the audience, both in person and those watching the livestream, while providing a preamble that gestured at the ongoing conversations about the role of AI in film.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Carrington made a trey in the second half and gestured at the U bench.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
It’s infused with hydrating ingredients, including mirsalehi honey and argan oil, which work together to replenish moisture in dry, frizzy hair.—
Andrea Navarro,
Glamour,
29 Jan. 2026
-
This Gentle Hydrating Shampoo combines lather and that cleaning feeling without sulfates, which means the hair won’t feel stripped, tangled, and frizzy.—
Staff Author,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There was always something a bit kinky about Barney.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2026
-
The two actors engage in a variety of kinky activities — bondage, costumes and dildos included — onscreen.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
24 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Senior Sebastian Valencia scored goals on a header on a cross by junior Mason Sanders and another on a curled solo shot from distance.—
Buddy Collings,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The curled ends, which add extra dimension, are a particularly amazing touch.—
Audrey Noble,
InStyle,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Waved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waved. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
