wag 1 of 3

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

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wag

2 of 3

noun (2)

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

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 wag
Noun
These special issues now have shifted from doing an occasional kind of interesting little tail wag for readers based on what a luminary in the field thought might be kind of neat. — Anil Oza, STAT, 24 Apr. 2026 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
Verb
From the creators of DreamWorks Animation’s hit series Gabby’s Dollhouse, Doozie’s Doghouse is a mixed-media companion series that continues the fun with tail-wagging surprises, woof-tastic unboxings, and imaginative play. — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026 Some deer wag more than others, and whitetails will swish more at different times of year—for example, in summer and into early bow season, when pesky bugs hover. — Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wag
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wag
Noun
  • The flap is just the latest flight of fancy bringing bird decor into the design discourse.
    — Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The Note—a compact version of the company’s much larger flagship product—launched in February, and can display personal messages, weather, stock prices, Spotify songs, and hundreds of other options via 2,880 mesmerizing flaps controlled via an app.
    — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The comedian’s become a regular on TikTok and Instagram scrolls for her character work — particularly impressions of her Italian father and German mother, the latter always in a black turtleneck, hair pulled back, glasses inexplicably atop her head.
    — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2026
  • For years, posting clips online has been integral to comedians’ process of building an audience and selling tickets to their live shows.
    — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Instamall plans to keep adding brands, but it is already hooked into the inventory systems of its existing partners, so expanding the service to new cities could be as easy as flicking a switch.
    — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Suarez fought off an Atlanta defender to reach the ball in the box and flicked a lofted cross toward Berterame.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Even her good friend Gizelle knew, and chose to gossip with Ashley instead of privately informing Tia off camera.
    — Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The two women start to hang out again like college pals, gossiping and hip-hip dancing and — always – splitting a bottle of white wine.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • On a recent morning, surfers bobbed in the water off North Beach, not far from the rocky structure shoring up the train tracks by the sea.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
  • On Collins Ave in Miami Beach, the yachts along the intracoastal were bobbing nearly at street level.
    — Alex Harris Updated September 27, Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Elizabeth Montgomery as Samantha Stephens With her enchanting nose twitch and signature pointed eyebrows, Montgomery performed her magic starring as Samantha Stephens.
    — Justine Fisher, PEOPLE, 12 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Deputies say Gonzalez grabbed a dumbbell, raised it and swung at Murant.
    — Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Squalls swung in across the north bank and obscured the river.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Conservatives have talked for years about the need to downsize the federal leviathan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Kevin Warsh wants the Fed to talk less and to force investors to look at the numbers and make their own decisions.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Wag.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wag. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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