wade

1 of 2

verb

ˈwād How to pronounce wade (audio)
waded; wading
Synonyms of wadenext

intransitive verb

1
: to step in or through a medium (such as water) offering more resistance than air
2
: to move or proceed with difficulty or labor
wade through the crowd
wade through all the evidence
3
: to set to work or attack with determination or vigor
—used with in or into
wade into a task

transitive verb

: to pass or cross by wading
wadable adjective
or wadeable
ˈwā-də-bəl How to pronounce wade (audio)

wade

2 of 2

noun

: an act of wading
a wade in the brook

Synonyms

Verb

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Examples of wade in a Sentence

Verb We waded into the ocean. I jumped off the boat and waded back to shore. Police waded into the crowd.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
For people wading through political information and news, knowledge about history and civics is like a key in the ignition for their analytical skills. — Lightning Jay, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025 Mercedes-Benz’s most technologically advanced offering is its mass-market play—and a gambit to entice U.S. buyers to wade into its electric-vehicle waters. — Sean Evans, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2025 Featuring a full-service salon and boutique in addition to locker rooms, showers, and eucalyptus steam rooms, the spa offers an outdoor garden sanctuary with a jacuzzi, a wading fountain, lounge chairs, and a covered patio. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 17 Mar. 2025 The research team geared up and waded into the murky waters. — Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wade

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English wadan; akin to Old High German watan to go, wade, Latin vadere to go

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Noun

1665, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wade was in the 13th century

Rhymes for wade

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Browse Nearby Words

wade
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Cite this Entry

“Wade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wade. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

wade

verb
ˈwād
waded; wading
1
: to step in or through a substance (as water, mud, or sand) that is thicker than air
2
a
: to move or proceed slowly or with difficulty
wade through a dull book
b
: to attack or work energetically
waded into their chores
3
: to pass or cross by wading
wade a stream

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