ebb

¹ebb

noun \ˈeb\

Definition of EBB

1

: the reflux of the tide toward the sea

2

: a point or condition of decline <our spirits were at a low ebb>

Examples of EBB

1. Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
2. <a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country>

Origin of EBB

Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from — more at of

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to EBB

Synonyms

decadence, declension, declination, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, decline, eclipse, fall

Antonyms

ascent, rise, upswing

Related Words

dark age, nadir, sunset; decay, rotting, spoiling; breakup, crumbling, decomposition, disintegration, dissolution; abasement, debasement; depreciation, lessening; decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, havoc, ruin, ruination; abatement, decrease, decrement, de-escalation, deflation, diminishment, diminution, dip, downslide, downtrend, downturn, drop, drop-off, falloff, loss, lowering, reduction, sag, shrinkage, slip, slump

Near Antonyms

advancement, development, evolution, growth; blossoming, flourishing, flowering; renewal, restoration, revitalization; heightening; accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increase, increment, raise, supplement

Rhymes with EBB

bleb, deb, neb, pleb, reb, Reb, web

²ebb

intransitive verb

Definition of EBB

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 Synonym Discussion at abate