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
  • 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
Definition of flap
Verb
  • Coming for a variety of longtime critics of the merger, opposition rose and suspicion about the settlement served to pour gasoline on an already flicking fire.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Paul Marie flicked a ball off the outside of his foot to Judd, who scored on a volley from the edge of the 6-yard box to give the Earthquakes a 3-0 lead in the 29th.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of flick
Noun
  • The Twitch Like wags or swishes, occasional sharp twitches of the tail are no cause for alarm for you, the hunter.
    — Tom Carpenter, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Ever since the infamous finger-wag at LSU, Clark has dominated Angel Reese.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 June 2026
Definition of wag
Verb
  • Just then, Chee Meng’s fishing rod twitched, and the line began to run out.
    — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
  • During the test, Linton jerked and twitched in what prosecutors described as an attempt to fake a seizure.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of twitch
Noun
  • Her 2024 race in House District 105 was partly a referendum on the party switch, but Cotham survived a recount against Nicole Sidman in a strong year for Republicans overall on the ballot.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Hit the light switch, the thermostat, the remote and the door handle on the way in.
    — Ashley Lynch, Kansas City Star, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of switch
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
Definition of swing
Noun
  • Around it, hilly paths lined with palms and flouro-pink bougainvillea wiggle between treatment rooms, yoga pavilions, pools and bedrooms.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Earlier this year, César Alvarez spent far too much of their play The Potluck having their onstage avatar wiggle around on the hook of writing The Potluck.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of wiggle
Verb
  • 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
  • Alternatively, slice them crosswise and swish well in a bowl of cold water, then lift them out, leaving the dirt behind in the bowl.
    — Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, 20 Sep. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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