wag 1 of 3

noun (1)

Definition of wagnext
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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wag

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

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wag

3 of 3

verb

ˈwag How to pronounce wag (audio)
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

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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
3
as in to bob
to make short up-and-down movements the bird's head wagged jerkily as it looked for worms

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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 wag
Noun
These pre-conditions to talks were discussed at the EFL meeting, which just so happened to be held in The Belfry’s Masters Suite, or, as one wag put it, the room whose door is always open. — Matt Slater, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026 Upon the occasion of his seventh block, Ejiofor rolled back downcourt giving the crowd a Dikembe Mutumbo-esque finger wag. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
Picturing an adorable robot, eagerly seeking to be of use, even designed to wag a mechanical tail, to riff off the idea, the proposal doesn’t sound that far-fetched, but rather a development of what already exists. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 9 Aug. 2026 Duff puts her hand over her mouth and then wags her finger back and forth. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
  1. flap
  2. comedian
  3. flick
  4. gossip
  5. bob
  6. twitch
  7. swing
  8. talk
Noun
  • This version has a removable belt for a customizable fit, a storm flap and back vent for breathability, and multiple pockets for keeping essentials close by.
    — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The best testing locations include the underside of the base, the inside of a flap, the back of a strap, and a low section near a seam.
    — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of flap
Noun
  • Grown-up Jokes • Paul Baker’s friends include Roach, who’s played by the comedian Will Sennett.
    — Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Stand-up comedian Leanne Morgan stars as the titular character, while Johnston plays her brutally honest sister, Carol.
    — Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of comedian
Verb
  • Near the left corner of the 6-yard box, Pereyra turned and flicked a shot inside the back post.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Aug. 2026
  • Playing with the Chromatic is as simple as inserting a cartridge and flicking the power switch.
    — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of flick
Verb
  • Hollywood is gossiping that her current paramour Scooter Braun looks like her past fiancé — Jonathan Davino.
    — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The last time the men did a show together was July 26, gossiping about everyone from Ariana Grande to Giulana Rancic.
    — Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of gossip
Verb
  • But the calm day gave way to terror when her uncle again looked out into the ocean and saw Summer’s head bobbing in and out of the water.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026
  • And when the sun is shining, that also means the water’s sparkling, sailboats are bobbing, and seagulls are cawing.
    — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of bob
Noun
  • His skating is very good, showing the quick-twitch first step and speed of top NHL forwards.
    — Corey Pronman, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • However, the quick-twitch reaction caused stress on his elbow.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of twitch
Verb
  • Instead, the chief executive said Hilton's middle- and upper-middle segments have swung from posting negative numbers to growing at rates as high as 6%.
    — Alex Harring, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The Slingshot surges forward as the tach swings toward redline, the exhaust emitting a guttural howl.
    — William Roberson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of swing
Verb
  • Fleming by body camera footage, approached Parker, who was talking on his cellphone.
    — Daniel McFadin, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Maybe a family watches a favorite performer together, while nearby strangers start talking because someone forgot sunscreen and their friend packed enough for six people.
    — Svetlana Khachiyan, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of talk

Browse Nearby Words

wafts
wag
wage
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Cite this Entry

“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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