as in flapping
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as in motioning
to direct or notify by a movement or gesture
waved them over to the side of the road
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of waving
Andrew Destin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
With his own future still unconfirmed, Guardiola could be seen pumping his fists in celebration when Rayan Cherki slipped in the third goal and, after the final whistle, there was a victory walk around the pitch and a lot of affectionate waving and kiss-blowing.
—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
It also has been roiled by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, stirring protests outside the venues and forcing organizers to clamp down on political flag-waving.
—
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
The flag-waving, the face paint, the pugnacious songs, the banners, the bellicose taunts at the opponents, the arms flung out in unison foster a collective spirit that can turn violent at times.
—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Flag waving, immigration restriction, and culture-war rallying cries can shore up the MAGA-tech coalition, but more will be needed to achieve lasting success.
—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Assuming whatever creature birthed from a spider egg was also a shapeshifter would even allow the show to bring back everyone’s favorite dancing clown in a modern-day context without too much hand-waving.
—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
15 Dec. 2025
Some 65,000 fans reveling in SDFC’s six goals scored and vibing off the supporter groups’ chants, drum-banging and flag-waving.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Males and females both wave their legs and the waving was not related to courtship or competition.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
Like Eala, his matches are chock-a-block with soccer-style flag waving, face painting and vociferous cheering.
—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Skokie will be waving its new flag outside village hall starting this week.
—
Cbs Chicago Team,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
By Gene and Katie Hamilton Tribune Content Agency To see Old Glory waving in the wind always brings a sense of pride to most of us.
—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2026
Lebanese citizens protested in the capital, waving Hezbollah flags and denouncing the government.
—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
29 June 2026
Anthony Vega, 50, stood outside the stadium more than three hours before kickoff, waving a large rainbow flag.
—
Hallie Golden,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
There was Miami basketball coach Jim Larranaga waving me into his office a few years back as his staff watched video of Final Four opponent Connecticut.
—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Once Rome’s mayor cut the ribbon at the Stadium of the Marbles, visitors streamed in singing, chanting, waving flags.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Noun
Egypt has arrested and prosecuted gays and lesbians on the basis of vague indecency laws and has cracked down on any outward expressions of Pride, especially the waving of rainbow flags.
—
Andrew Destin,
Chicago Tribune,
17 June 2026
With his own future still unconfirmed, Guardiola could be seen pumping his fists in celebration when Rayan Cherki slipped in the third goal and, after the final whistle, there was a victory walk around the pitch and a lot of affectionate waving and kiss-blowing.
—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
It also has been roiled by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, stirring protests outside the venues and forcing organizers to clamp down on political flag-waving.
—
ABC News,
23 Apr. 2026
The flag-waving, the face paint, the pugnacious songs, the banners, the bellicose taunts at the opponents, the arms flung out in unison foster a collective spirit that can turn violent at times.
—
Ian Buruma,
New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2026
Flag waving, immigration restriction, and culture-war rallying cries can shore up the MAGA-tech coalition, but more will be needed to achieve lasting success.
—
Walter Russell Mead,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
Assuming whatever creature birthed from a spider egg was also a shapeshifter would even allow the show to bring back everyone’s favorite dancing clown in a modern-day context without too much hand-waving.
—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
15 Dec. 2025
Some 65,000 fans reveling in SDFC’s six goals scored and vibing off the supporter groups’ chants, drum-banging and flag-waving.
—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Nov. 2025
Males and females both wave their legs and the waving was not related to courtship or competition.
—
Laura Baisas,
Popular Science,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Turn to face the shore, tread water, and signal for help by calling out or waving your arms.
—
Nc Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2026
Like Eala, his matches are chock-a-block with soccer-style flag waving, face painting and vociferous cheering.
—
Douglas Robson,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
Skokie will be waving its new flag outside village hall starting this week.
—
Cbs Chicago Team,
CBS News,
29 June 2026
By Gene and Katie Hamilton Tribune Content Agency To see Old Glory waving in the wind always brings a sense of pride to most of us.
—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
29 June 2026
Lebanese citizens protested in the capital, waving Hezbollah flags and denouncing the government.
—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
29 June 2026
Anthony Vega, 50, stood outside the stadium more than three hours before kickoff, waving a large rainbow flag.
—
Hallie Golden,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2026
There was Miami basketball coach Jim Larranaga waving me into his office a few years back as his staff watched video of Final Four opponent Connecticut.
—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
27 June 2026
Once Rome’s mayor cut the ribbon at the Stadium of the Marbles, visitors streamed in singing, chanting, waving flags.
—
ABC News,
27 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waving
Noun
-
In recent days, viewers were treated to the younger eagles practicing their wing flapping and preparing to make their first official flights.
-
Nearly two months old, the birds spend much of their days hopping, flapping, stomping and testing out their wings, a recent Facebook post from Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that operates their live cam, says.
Verb
-
In security footage obtained by ABC 13, the officer, alleged to be Carrico, is seen motioning the woman to take a seat; the woman complies.
-
In video shared by the outlet, Stewart grips surfaces for support while singing before motioning to a crew member, who brings over an oxygen tank and places the mask over his nose and mouth.
Noun
-
For all his bobbing and flailing, and sensitive shaping of the music, conductor Christian Capocaccia evinced little attention to singers.
-
But his role was not to fix a flailing business, but, rather, to keep a roaring flame alive.
Verb
-
Just three minutes later, Isak was inside the penalty area with a great scoring chance, but Suzuki deflected it wide and over the end line, angrily gesturing toward some of his teammates as Sweden lined up for another corner kick.
-
The launch tubes themselves don’t appear to be loaded, but the men carefully adjust the angle of the launcher, gesturing to each other with colored flags.
Cite this Entry
“Waving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waving. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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