1
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to plunge
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
I had just bought a bundle of shares of the stock when its price sank like a rock
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to stifle
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
sinks his pride and makes the first step towards a reconciliation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to disappear
to cease to be visible
that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to reduce
to diminish the price or value of
the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to humiliate
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the revelation that he has been embezzling for years definitely sinks him in my opinion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward
the road sinks abruptly after that curve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in to fade
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dump
a place of great vice and corruption
was able to rise above the sink that was his birthplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of sink
Peter White, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
O’Neale made three 3-pointers during that stretch, and Booker sank two of his three 3-pointers.
—Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Pelosi would remain influential within the Democratic party though, playing a key behind-the-scenes role in getting President Joe Biden to bow out of his sinking re-election bid, leading to the rapid nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee who lost to Trump a year ago.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
The weather is warm but not sweltering, hovering in the high 70s with little rain—perfect for snorkeling among the coral reefs of Andros, kayaking through the Exumas’ turquoise shallows, or simply sinking into a hammock with a book and beer in hand.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sink
Verb
When a cup is sunk, players must decide whether to answer a revealing question or take on a mystery wing, with heat levels ranging from mild to merciless.
—Peter White, Deadline, 7 Nov. 2025
O’Neale made three 3-pointers during that stretch, and Booker sank two of his three 3-pointers.
—Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2025
Pelosi would remain influential within the Democratic party though, playing a key behind-the-scenes role in getting President Joe Biden to bow out of his sinking re-election bid, leading to the rapid nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee who lost to Trump a year ago.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
The weather is warm but not sweltering, hovering in the high 70s with little rain—perfect for snorkeling among the coral reefs of Andros, kayaking through the Exumas’ turquoise shallows, or simply sinking into a hammock with a book and beer in hand.
—Mark Ellwood, AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sink
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sink
Verb
-
Residents should also remain alert to rapidly changing forecasts, as conditions may deteriorate quickly.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Grace appears dazed when others pick up on her ache, and takes a perverse pleasure in Jackson’s struggle to deal with her deteriorating mental health.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
These two conflicts heat up very quickly, with Dale plunging his elbow into the soup and then getting in Ron’s face, telling him to kiss it.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The buttery soft, stretchy nylon is accented with a plunging V-neckline and pretty lace trim.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Overall, though, Joseph's fleet bounced back enough to stifle the tight end for the rest of the half, as Bowers finished with just one catch on three targets.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Lean also refuted claims that bipolar disorder stifles creativity.—
Mackenzie Cummings-Grady,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
More than century later, Veblen’s theory hasn’t disappeared.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Pike played Amy Elliott Dunne opposite Ben Affleck’s Nick in director David Fincher's film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s 2012 novel about a wife who mysteriously disappears.—
Jack Smart,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Tax rises would likely act as another damper on inflation by reducing consumer demand.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Researchers also stressed that the synergistic effect of K+ and C3N4 co-intercalation lowers the energy barrier, reduces the electrostatic interaction, and enhances the kinetics and structural stability.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The candidate looks appropriately humiliated to be shouted down by a group of peaceful citizens voicing reasonable opposition, but the stakes are low.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
29 Oct. 2025
-
There was this huge peak between 2000 and about 2018 where there was a decentralized anti-Fascist movement that’s responsible for Richard Spencer going home, for Matthew Heimbach being humiliated.—
Fiction Non Fiction,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Two things happened on that blustery back-to-school morning that fell exactly a month after my eleventh birthday.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
For one night, under cold rain and flickering red lights, the noise faded.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Once summer flowers fade and growth stops, start cleaning up the garden.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sink.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sink. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share