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
Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Apr. 2023
The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
These massive mammals greet each other with a mix of gestures and sounds—by flapping their ears, making rumbling noises, waggling their tails and reaching out their trunks, scientists reported last week in the journal Communications Biology.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
The younger Yaz’s pre-swing bat waggle was the topic, hitting coach Justin Viele said.
—Susan Slusser, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Mar. 2023
Verb
For many, this is the last image of that player with the waggling hips, at the top of the world, and unburdened by football’s brutality.
—Jacob Whitehead, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
These massive mammals greet each other with a mix of gestures and sounds—by flapping their ears, making rumbling noises, waggling their tails and reaching out their trunks, scientists reported last week in the journal Communications Biology.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
-
The closest copy of SpaceX's technology is Landscape's ZQ-3, which combines the stainless steel construction of Starship with the multi-cluster engines, aerodynamic control flaps, and landing legs of the Falcon 9.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Lamaze Peek-a-Moo Friendly Barn—This plush barn from TOMY features crinkle flaps on the roof, satin ribbons, patterns, and a cow plush with a crinkle texture.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Like a true professional, the actor quickly flicks the photo and extinguishes the blaze without ever breaking character — despite internally freaking out — to nail the perfect shot.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Kravitz's new cut couldn't be fresher, with blunt, flicked out ends that barely reach below her ears.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But not every interaction at dog parks ends with happy tail wags.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
This is not about taking the wag out of the puppy’s tail.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Her hand twitched from the heat.—
Zuzana Říhová,
Literary Hub,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Any dairy farmer can tell you that biting flies are a pestilent scourge for cattle herds, which is why one so often sees cows throwing their heads, stamping their feet, flicking their tails, and twitching their skin—desperately trying to shake off the nasty creatures.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Patrick Murphy, the founder and CEO, likens the switch to going from a manual screwdriver to a power drill.—
Jon Stojan,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Corn syrup is a common and cheap sweetener, which is why Coca-Cola made the switch many years ago.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Parsons signed a multiyear extension upon arrival and has already produced game‑changing pressure and splash plays that helped swing the second half in Pittsburgh, giving the Packers a top-tier pass rush to pair with Love’s ascending offense.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
-
When not in use, the flaps swing open, allowing the soldier to listen normally.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
26 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dog with a ‘wiggle butt’ has spent nearly 300 days in shelter.—
Real-Time News team,
Miami Herald,
27 Oct. 2025
-
Although there is wiggle-room for the inflationary temperature/energy scale to be a bit lower than the limit set by cosmic rays, the CMB limits on the maximum post-inflationary temperature cannot be evaded.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dresses swished and dress shoes clacked against the floor as couples danced for bragging rights in one of the biggest celebrations of Black culture in KC.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Fill a bowl or sink with water, add a drop of fabric softener, and swish it around.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share