wane

¹wane

verb \ˈwān\

wanedwan·ing

Definition of WANE

intransitive verb

1

: to decrease in size, extent, or degree : dwindle: as a : to diminish in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets b : to become less brilliant or powerful : dim c : to flow out : ebb

2

: to fall gradually from power, prosperity, or influence

Examples of WANE

1. The moon waxes and then wanes.
2. The scandal caused her popularity to wane.
3. Interest in this issue has continued to wane.
4. the waning days of summer

Origin of WANE

Middle English, from Old English wanian; akin to Old High German wanōn to wane, Old English wan wanting, deficient, Latin vanus empty, vain

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to WANE

Synonyms: abate, decline, de-escalate, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down) also rachet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, decrease

Antonyms: accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon (also bourgeon), enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax

Related Words: compress, condense, constrict, contract; evaporate, fade (away), fritter (away), give out, melt (away), peter (out), tail (off), vanish; slacken, slow (down); alleviate, relax; flag, sink, weaken; cave (in), collapse, deflate

Near Antonyms: appear, emerge, show up; blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

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See Synonym Discussion at abate

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wax, zenith

Rhymes with WANE

ain, Aisne, ane, Bain, bane, blain, brain, cane, chain, crane, deign, drain, fain, fane, feign, gain, grain, Kane, lane, Lane, main, mane, pain, Paine, pane, plain, plane, quean, rain, reign, rein, sain, sane, seine, Seine, skein, Spain, sprain, stain, strain, swain, thane, thegn, train, twain, Twain, vain, vane, vein, wain, Wayne