wave away

Gesture to reject

To wave away is to dismiss something with a gesture or, more often, with words that minimize its importance.

You might wave away a compliment, a concern, or an objection, signaling that it doesn't merit serious attention.

She waved away my apologies and changed the subject.

The phrase suggests a casual or sometimes impatient rejection, as if brushing something aside with a flick of the hand.

dismiss

brush off

Dismissive rejection of someone

downplay · minimize · trivialize · discount · overlook · pooh-pooh · belittle · deprecate · underestimate · undervalue

reject

rebuff

Abrupt, curt rejection

snub · repudiate · turn down · shoo · repel · ward off · fend off · push back

Categories
Opposites
gesture/signal direction

wave awaybeckon

Signal to approach

summon · call over · hail · flag down · usher in

acceptance vs. rejection

wave awaywelcome

Hospitable greeting offered

accept · embrace · receive · take in · admit

attention/consideration

wave awaytake seriously

Treat as significant

heed · acknowledge · embrace · accept · attend to

Family

wave, away, wavy, waves, waving, waver, waved, wavering, wavers

Familiarity
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Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G