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
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Recent Examples of waggle
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
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The observations revealed that elephants greeted one another with specific combinations of vocalizations and gestures, such as rumbles with ear-flapping or ear-spreading, as well as other seemingly less deliberate physical movements, such as tail-raising and waggling, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 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
One part of this process – the famous waggle dance – was discovered decades ago.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 8 Dec. 2011
Verb
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
The observations revealed that elephants greeted one another with specific combinations of vocalizations and gestures, such as rumbles with ear-flapping or ear-spreading, as well as other seemingly less deliberate physical movements, such as tail-raising and waggling, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 9 May 2024
See All Example Sentences for waggle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waggle
Noun
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Cash — who has made several tracks with Charli XCX — said the flap had turned him into a star in Italy.—
Alex Marshall,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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The screws securing the upper flap are loose, and one is missing.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
12 May 2025
Verb
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With it, of course, comes a fair share of big budget popcorn flicks, as well as a collection of curious smaller movies that may just capture the cultural conversation.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
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Once the puck was on its way, Aho seemed to flick his heel backward for good measure.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
Noun
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Shakespeare’s world-weary wags spoke truth to King Lear and other royals, while the heyoka, the holy fool of many Sioux tribes, inverted day-to-day logic to provoke healing laughter.—
Michael Snyder,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
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When it was all said and done and Yorkie gave one final wag of her tail, she was revealed to be Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, singer, and actress Erika Jayne.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Riley Robinson/Staff A wind blows down the border, twitching pale dry grass.—
Riley Robinson,
Christian Science Monitor,
6 May 2025
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If their tail starts twitching or their ears are flattened, then they may be overstimulated, which can lead to aggression.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Overnight, the pair switch bodies to learn about the struggles the other is dealing with.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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And just like Google, Microsoft can absorb new AI companies with the flick of a switch given its size, distribution moat and extensive networks.—
Barry Libert,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The president's team has now swung the pendulum in the opposite direction from five years ago, even attempting to rescind findings of constitutional violations in the cities where Floyd and Taylor lost their lives.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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The momentum swung again on the next hole when Griffin saved par from behind a tree in the fairway and Schmid curiously aimed away from the hole with his ball plugged in a bunker, ended up in the rough and made bogey.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 May 2025
Noun
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Her wish comes true in the form of a gleefully chaotic fuzzy blue creature who is the combination of a rambunctious toddler, puppy and koala, with a toothy grin, deadly claws and an irresistible butt wiggle.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
22 May 2025
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After all the Alaskan sightseeing for the day, or if little ones (and not-so-little kids) just need to get their wiggles out, the onboard Disney’s Oceaneer Club can’t be beat.—
Disney Cruise Line,
AFAR Media,
7 May 2025
Verb
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It’s believed that there are now more than 100 baby trout swishing around their new digs in Arroyo Hondo Creek in Santa Barbara County.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
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The deal comes just two months after Norges snapped up a $395 million stake in London’s Mayfair district from Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster’s real estate company, encompassing everything from retail and F&B to swish offices.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes,
24 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waggle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waggle. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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