waggle 1 of 2

noun

Definition of wagglenext
as in flap
a quick jerky movement from side to side or up and down a quick waggle of her head to indicate "no"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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waggle

2 of 2

verb

ˈwa-gəl How to pronounce waggle (audio)
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
Noun
Researchers found that the receivers of the dance weren’t just following the direction and distance indicated by the waggle dance. — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 6 Oct. 2025 Already Guerrero seems to be able to convey of-the-moment phrasings and character directions with a few emphatic motions—a roller-coaster swoop here, a waggle of the fingers there—and get an immediate response from the choristers. — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
Verb
When LaBeija, as Gus the Theatre Cat, finally strolled onstage to revisit his glory days, waggling his long, polished claws, a younger Gus (Jonathan Burke) appeared, like a mirror dancing toward him. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 16 Apr. 2026 The crimson tips of giant tube worms waggled in the current, tangling around clusters of mussels. — Maya Wei-Haas, New York Times, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
  1. flap
  2. flick
  3. wag
  4. twitch
  5. switch
  6. swing
  7. wiggle
  8. swish
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
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
Noun
  • Ever since the infamous finger-wag at LSU, Clark has dominated Angel Reese.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
  • Moreover, if Griffin stepped into public life now, the cynical wags in finance would declare the reason obvious—his hedge fund’s returns have been sagging.
    — Gary Sernovitz, New Yorker, 15 June 2026
Definition of wag
Verb
  • The 5-11, 210-pounder is a sudden cutter who runs with power and twitch, attacking space like a great punt returner.
    — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • The muscles in Lola Petticrew’s face twitch ever so slightly, indicating Catherine’s excitement that the police are now in possession of this picture.
    — Erin Qualey, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of twitch
Noun
  • By adding a few switches, an airport express train could weave between local trains and proceed nonstop between O’Hare and the Loop.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Also, if the switch from side by side to one-front/one-back happened instantaneously, your brain would get confused about how to interpret the images delivered from each eye, since the setup would be quite different from what you were used to.
    — Abigail Witmer, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of switch
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
Noun
  • During her visit to the Evelina London Children’s Hospital on Monday, Middleton wore the Suzannah London silk flippy wiggle shirtdress in white with black accents.
    — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 10 July 2026
  • Saints peppered Trick with punches in the corner, but Trick gave Ricky a little wiggle and answered with strikes of his own.
    — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
Definition of wiggle
Verb
  • One displays images of water swishing around the screen’s golden frame.
    — Tania Azhang, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Squirt some disinfectant into the bowl and swish it around with the toilet brush, then flush.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of swish

Browse Nearby Words

waggishness
waggle
waggled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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