plunge

1 of 2

verb

plunged; plunging

transitive verb

1
: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something
plunged the dagger
2
: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently
plunged the nation into economic depression

intransitive verb

1
: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
2
a
: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward
also : to move oneself in such a manner
plunged off the embankment
b
: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly
plunges into project after project
c
: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly
3
: to descend or dip suddenly
the stock's value plunged

plunge

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of plunging : dive
also : swim

see also take the plunge

Examples of plunge in a Sentence

Verb Her car plunged off a bridge. The stock market plunged yesterday. The President's approval rating has plunged to 20 percent. The moose population has plunged in recent years. The rocky cliffs plunge into the swirling rapids below. The road plunges down the mountain. Noun Amazingly, the cat survived its plunge from the building's roof. Market analysts predicted a price plunge. The store experienced a sharp plunge in sales.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Khloé Kardashian is spotted wearing a brown outfit with a plunging neckline and a chunky silver necklace while enjoying dinner in Malibu with Kris Jenner (not pictured). Escher Walcott, People.com, 21 July 2025 The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis. Nidal Al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Noun
Passengers can cap off their unforgettable experiences with an Antarctic rite of passage: a polar plunge under the watchful eyes of the Expedition Experts, who will welcome them back onboard the ship with towels, hot drinks, and a spa. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 21 July 2025 Lab equipment maker Waters Corp was among this week’s oversold names, having an RSI of 26.2 and seeing a week-to-date plunge of more than 18%. Sean Conlon, CNBC, 19 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for plunge

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Anglo-French plunger, from Vulgar Latin *plumbicare, from Latin plumbum lead

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plunge was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunge. Accessed 26 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

plunge

1 of 2 verb
plunged; plunging
1
: to push or drive into something with force
plunged a knife into the pie
2
: to leap or dive into water
3
a
: to rush with reckless haste
plunged into debt
b
: to bring into an unpleasant state
plunged the family into gloom
4
: to dip or move suddenly downward or forward and downward
the road plunges along the slope

plunge

2 of 2 noun
: a sudden dive, leap, or rush

More from Merriam-Webster on plunge

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