waggle 1 of 2

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

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
The silence of the forest might be interrupted with a siren salute from a passing law enforcement helicopter, or a wing waggle from firefighting aircraft passing en route to a fire. Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023 One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago. Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Verb
This part of the design also imparts a nice waggling action via its thin paddle tail. David A. Rose, Field & Stream, 20 Mar. 2024 And Adem Bona was a whirling dervish of a double-double, dropping in an and-one layup as the Trojans tried to chip away into a second-half lead, slapping his bicep and waggling his tongue and visibly sucking the life out of Galen. Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2024 See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
  • The washed canvas is a durable fabric, while the outer flap and buckles provide security.
    BestReviews, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025
  • Crafted with 100 percent Merino wool, this versatile style combines the structural details of a trench coat, like a storm flap, with the comfort and ease of tie waist robe coats.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 18 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Upon entering the tasting room, Galloni flicked on the lights with flair.
    Marcia DeSanctis, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025
  • True, a laser can flick from one target to the next in a fraction of a second, but identifying a weak spot and fixing the beam on it is another matter entirely.
    David Szondy, New Atlas, 17 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That meant Maxwell’s been a victim of Mutombo’s signature finger wag.
    Daniel Brown, The Athletic, 16 Feb. 2025
  • Dog owners know nothing beats coming home after a stressful day and being greeted by their excited, happy tail wags.
    David Faris, Newsweek, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In the video, the robot hangs suspended from the ceiling as its limbs twitch and kick, marking what the company claims is a step toward its goal of creating household-helper robots.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The elephant is now decidedly less friendly, and is doing far more than twitching and grunting.
    Stephen Maher, TIME, 15 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Also notable is the switch from a Lightning charging port to a USB-C port.
    Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Feb. 2025
  • The past two Episodes of Destiny 2’s post-Final Shape story content have not been amazing, but that has changed with the arrival of Heresy, the final episode before Destiny switches to its new, untested Frontiers model.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Will the Vikings swing for the fences on a young and proven guard like Trey Smith?
    Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
  • Surprise, Arizona In an effort to boost their 2024 postseason push, the Kansas City Royals swung a trade with the Washington Nationals at the deadline.
    Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 16 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • As the weighted end of the rig skips across the bottom, the non-weighted end floats and wiggles just above the bottom, simulating a dying baitfish or fleeing crayfish.
    Derek Horner, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
  • This doll is a great way for older siblings to get used to a new sibling's everyday wiggles and motions.
    Jacquelyn Smith, Parents, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Kansas, a team that had hit double-digit 3-point shots in just one Big 12 Conference game all season, swished a season-best 14 treys on 30 attempts in the Jayhawks’ 96-64 rout of Oklahoma State on Saturday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Feb. 2025
  • This involves swishing coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil (about a tablespoon for adults) for 15-20 minutes and then spitting everything out.4 Many people claim oil pulling fights off gum disease and tartar, but the evidence for this method is mixed.
    Mark Gurarie, Health, 16 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

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