ebb

²ebb

verb

Definition of EBB

intransitive verb

1

: to recede from the flood

2

: to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state <his popularity ebbed>

Examples of EBB

1. waiting for the tide to ebb
2. <the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed>

First Known Use of EBB

before 12th century

Related to EBB

Synonyms: atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, devolve, deteriorate, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen

Antonyms: ameliorate, improve, meliorate

Related Words: abate, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, recede, wane; break down, corrupt, decompose, degrade, dilapidate, disintegrate, molder, putrefy; sour, spoil; lessen, lower, reduce; debilitate, undermine; droop, fail, fall, flag, lag, languish, run down, sag, slip, waste (away), weaken, wilt

Near Antonyms: better, upgrade; enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen; advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

See Synonym Discussion at abate