to wave off

Examples

• All

• "Kwan waves off his apologies.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Finch simply waves off the question.

  Fiction book (1999)

• "Nah," Dale waved off the question.

  Fiction book (2002)

• "Julie waved off the objection."

  Fiction book (1994)

• " What's that supposed to mean?" McCaleb waved off the question.

  Fiction book (2001)

• "Bu-bu-bu!" Du Lili waves off any lame American excuses.

  Fiction book (1996)

• Tilly's hand was shaking as he waved off the old man's hospitality.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Fagan, annoyed, waved off his chatter.

  Fiction book (2000)

• Robbie waved off their invitation to join us and plugged his headphones into the CD player.

  Fiction book (1992)

• She waved off the advice, believing she could handle everything on her own.

Synonyms

I

to ignore

vsto wave off

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

is to decide something lacks importance rather than only ignoring it

D

to dismiss

vsto wave off

296 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

expresses the same refusal but as the key general description

L

to let it go

vsto wave off

280 3.5

To choose not to react to something annoying

is more about judging importance than choosing not to respond

A

to abandon

vsto wave off

201 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

is the immediate judgment of unimportance rather than long term abandonment

B

to blow off

vsto wave off

• Informal

174 7.0

To not attend or take part in something you should, often to do something else instead

is the decision of low importance rather than physical absence or avoidance

D

to disregard

vsto wave off

106 3.9

Ignore something or someone on purpose

is the general act of rejecting importance rather than merely ignoring

D

to discount

vsto wave off

83 4.2

To treat something as unimportant and ignore it

is the basic act of treating something as not important

D

to dismiss as

vsto wave off

73 4.6

To say someone or something is not worth taking seriously without careful thought

focuses on general refusal to give importance rather than labeling

T

to turn away from

vsto wave off

65 3.7

To refuse to have anything to do with someone or something

focuses on refusal of thought specifically rather than simple unimportance

T

to throw out

vsto wave off

60 4.2

To stop considering a case, request, or proposal in court

is the general deeming of unimportance, not limited to formal acts

T

to take lightly

vsto wave off

50 4.2

To treat something as not important or serious

is the basic act of judging lack of importance rather than underestimation

S

to shrug off

vsto wave off

32 3.9

Treat something as unimportant and ignore it

is the general refusal to give importance, not the coping aspect

P

to pass over

vsto wave off

30 4.1

To ignore someone or something on purpose

is about deeming unimportant rather than simply omitting or skipping

B

to brush off

vsto wave off

• Informal

29 3.9

To ignore what someone says or feels as unimportant

is the core refusal to give importance without the casual attitude

G

to go out the window

vsto wave off

• Informal

28 7.5

An idea or hope that is suddenly ignored and can no longer happen

is the general act of judging unimportance rather than sudden loss of value

C

to cast aside

vsto wave off

• Informal

17 3.7

Reject or ignore people and things you no longer want

is the simple judgment of lacking importance rather than disposal

B

to brush aside

vsto wave off

11 4.5

Ignore a person or thing because you think they are not important

focuses on the act of denying importance without the casual tone

P

to pooh-pooh

vsto wave off

8 9.5

To treat an idea or opinion as unimportant and not worth taking seriously

is a neutral refusal rather than one showing contempt

P

to push aside

vsto wave off

6 4.1

Refuse to think about something, for example worries or objections

is the simpler act of deeming something unimportant rather than mental pushing

P

to pass off

vsto wave off

5 4.1

To treat criticism or an insult as not important

is the broader act of judging something unimportant beyond criticism

S

to sweep aside

vsto wave off

5 4.7

To ignore an opinion or worry as unimportant

emphasizes refusal of importance rather than the following action

W

to wave away

vsto wave off

5 5.3

Treat a question or problem as not important

is the general refusal to treat something as important

G

to give someone the brush-off

vsto wave off

• Informal

2 7.5

To reject someone quickly and rudely

is the general refusal to give importance without the rude tone

T

to throw overboard

vsto wave off

2 6.0

To reject or get rid of something no longer needed

is the simpler act of judging lack of importance rather than physical removal

W

to wave aside

vsto wave off

1 6.1

To treat something as not important and ignore it

is the broad act of rejecting importance without focusing on gesture

F

to frig it

vsto wave off

• Informal

1 9.9

To decide not to worry about something and let it go

is the neutral act of judging unimportance rather than the informal attitude

W

to wave one's hand dismissively

vsto wave off

1 6.7

To move your hand to show you do not care

is the verbal or conceptual refusal of importance rather than a gesture

Antonyms

C

to consider

∞ 1.1

To think carefully before making a decision

How Dismissive

to reject

760 1.9

to dismiss

296 3.0

to wave off

• Informal

4 5.9

to acknowledge

58 3.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology