as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ebb
Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
Emails from the Senate Republican minority arrive daily in the mailboxes of the reporters covering the state Capitol, a new strategy for a caucus at its lowest ebb in nearly 40 years.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Moscow’s sovereign wealth fund financial reserves could ebb, and its revenues dip.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Noun
Wind power ebbs and surges with the weather.
—Tejasri Gururaj, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2025
Emails from the Senate Republican minority arrive daily in the mailboxes of the reporters covering the state Capitol, a new strategy for a caucus at its lowest ebb in nearly 40 years.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
Verb
In ‘04, three seasons after the last of five national championships, Miami’s glory-days era was ebbing.
—Miami Herald, 15 Aug. 2025
Moscow’s sovereign wealth fund financial reserves could ebb, and its revenues dip.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
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Presbyopia is the gradual deterioration of your eyes' ability to focus on close objects.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
23 Sep. 2025
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Three others who died after release due to health deterioration caused by prison conditions.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials chose Dillow for closure because the building’s condition was rapidly deteriorating due to a water leak.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
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Farley, a former New York City health commissioner who teaches at Tulane University, acknowledged that many factors contribute to falls, including the physical impairments and deteriorating eyesight associated with advancing age; alcohol abuse; and tripping hazards in people’s homes.—
Paula Span,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Steam decreased 33 percent and gas consumption decreased 12 percent—both due to more consistent production flows.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
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Austin, Denver have seen rents decrease Such arguments aren’t just economics textbook ideas, say Horowitz and other observers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The rise in premium leisure travel post-pandemic has replaced some of the decline in corporate travel.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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Researchers have found that the Mediterranean and DASH diets protect against cognitive decline.—
Patty Weasler,
Verywell Health,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Last year, Decker’s ex-wife, Whitney Decker, reportedly filed a petition to modify the family’s parenting plan, citing his worsening mental health issues.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
26 Sep. 2025
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He’s been sedated for the most part since the crash, to prevent any additional physical exertion or agitation that could worsen his injuries.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The big number arrives, characters emote, high notes ring and ring and ring again … and the aria subsides unmemorably, without leaving the ozone tang that signals a bolt of musical lightning.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
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Herro received platelet-rich plasma and cortisone injections in hopes of avoiding surgery, but the discomfort never subsided and surgery was deemed necessary to avoid more issues down the road.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Perhaps most puzzling was coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense crumbling in the second half and overtime after three weeks of being arguably the league’s best defense.—
Matt Schneidman,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The defense then crumbled in the red zone for a hat trick of first-half scores.—
Mike Kaye
September 28,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
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