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ebb

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word ebb distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ebb are abate, subside, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When could abate be used to replace ebb?

While the synonyms abate and ebb are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When can subside be used instead of ebb?

In some situations, the words subside and ebb are roughly equivalent. However, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When might wane be a better fit than ebb?

The words wane and ebb can be used in similar contexts, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

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 ebb
Noun
The number of players in the organization who could thrive during their inexpensive entry-level deals is at a low ebb. Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025 At one point during the convention when support seemed at low ebb, Wilson sent McCombs a note instructing him to withdraw Wilson's name from consideration, but McCombs pocketed the note without taking action. arkansasonline.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
Laying out two scenarios for what the duties eventually will look like, Waller said larger and longer-lasting tariffs would bring a larger inflation spike initially to a 4% to 5% range that eventually would ebb as growth slowed and unemployment increased. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2025 But that apparent and sometimes real danger does not determine whether the tide is coming in or going out — ebbing toward failure or flooding toward success. Hugo Gurdon, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
  • This may further contribute to a deterioration in hard data and usher in an economic recession.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
  • That led to a deterioration of ties with Pakistan, which also claims the region.
    Fayaz Bukhari, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In March, Rose Shalom of Sunland lost her husband, Mannie Rezende, who had slowly deteriorated from Alzheimer’s over several years.
    Steve Lopez, Mercury News, 7 May 2025
  • Bloomberg | Getty Images Hugo Boss on Tuesday pointed to deteriorating U.S. consumer confidence, with uncertainty around tariffs, recession risks and immigration policy dampening both domestic and tourist spend in its largest single market.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 6 May 2025
Verb
  • The four-seamer might be decreasing in usage, and the worst single pitch in the game - but the great ones have great ones.
    Tony Blengino, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • Research has also shown that being outside in nature can help decrease anxiety, stress, and anger, according to a UC Davis Health blog post.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • But its sales in the Greater China region, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, fell slightly to $16 billion, about a 2% decline from the previous year.
    John Liu, CNN Money, 2 May 2025
  • Even with a 6% decline year-to-date (as of April 30th), Microsoft’s (MSFT) stock performance has been a bit better than that of the broader NASDAQ index, which has dropped by 10%.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • However, a professor of political science at Bowling Green State University, which conducted the poll, said Democrats could yet retake the seat if the economy worsens, by regaining their standing as the party of the middle and working class.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
  • On the call, company officials said that while the McDonald's brand hadn't been affected by worsening perceptions of the U.S. by overseas consumers, its internal surveys had picked up a notable uptick in anti-American sentiment, particularly among diners in northern Europe and Canada.
    Rob Wile, NBC news, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Lisa Wins, But Sincerity Takes the Crown When the eyeliner dries and the laughter subsides, Lisa Gilroy emerges as the episode’s victor.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 May 2025
  • That fear subsided after the war became bogged down in Ukraine’s east.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 5 May 2025
Noun
  • The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
  • The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • The ongoing humanitarian crisis is worsened by widespread poverty, food insecurity, and a crumbling health care system, displacing over a million people from their homes in search of safety.
    Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
  • Here’s what students and educators across the state told us about the floods and leaks, overcrowding and inaccessibility, safety and outages, crumbling buildings and heating and cooling problems that impact every part of their day.
    Becca Savransky, Idaho Statesman, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 13 May. 2025.

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