Synonyms for

Waves

Verb / weɪvz / Another word for waves — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

Waves are a disturbance on the surface of a liquid body, as the sea or a lake, in the form of a moving ridge or swell.

Synonyms & similar words

flourish wafture brandish movingridge roll waving undulate beckon flap curl undulation wave swell surge ripple billow crest breaker whitecap tsunami undulation roller heave flow motion move undulate oscillate fluctuate sway rock

Synonyms by register

Formal

undulations oscillations fluctuations

Informal

ripples swells

Literary

billows surges

Antonyms

stillness calm flatness trough lull

Common collocations

  • ocean waves
  • sound waves
  • heat waves
  • tidal waves
  • waves of emotion
  • waves of change
  • waves of applause

Word family

noun wave
verb wave
adjective wavy

Usage note

The word 'waves' can refer to physical movements of water or abstract concepts like emotions or trends. Be mindful of context to avoid ambiguity.

Example sentences

  1. The waves were so big that they knocked me off my surfboard.
  2. I love listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach.
  3. The boat was tossed around by the waves during the storm.
  4. The ocean was calm, and there were no waves to be found.
  5. The surfer rode the wave all the way to the shore.

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