Bow wave refers to the wake that is formed by a moving object, such as a ship or a boat, as it moves through water. Synonyms for bow wave include wake, ripple, surge, swell, wave, and crest. Wake refers to the trail of water left behind a moving object, while ripple refers to the small waves formed on the surface of water. Surge and swell refer to large waves produced by the wind or other natural forces, while wave and crest refer to the up-and-down motion of the water. No matter the terminology used, these words all describe the unique movement and impact created by an object as it passes through the water.