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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
Schools are hesitant to grow too fast for fear they’ll be forced to retrench once today’s crisis ebbs. Maria Flynn, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025 But there’s no escaping the fact that the power of movies to both reflect and shape culture is at a low ebb. Brent Lang, Variety, 13 May 2025
Verb
So why the ebbing growth as the global generative AI push remains in full force? Derek Saul, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025 The Hill: Political criticism ebbed about Biden’s cognitive and physical frailties after the 82-year-old, diagnosed with Stage-4 prostate cancer, publicly revealed his illness on Sunday. Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 21 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
  • Most of the time, the summer slide—in other words, the deterioration of intellectual skills gained during the school year, during a period when kids are on breaks—is associated with a student’s reading skills, says Alexander.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 25 June 2025
  • The disease causes deterioration of nerve cells in the brain, a process that sets off a series of worsening symptoms.
    Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • The Astros traded Pressly as a pure salary dump, influenced in part by his deteriorating relationship with general manager Dana Brown.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 28 June 2025
  • Thousands of small communities whose economies once revolved around plants have deteriorated to depression, drugs, and dollar stores.
    Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 25 June 2025
  • The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • Cheng Xin/Getty Images New home prices fell 0.22 percent in 70 Chinese cities in May, the largest decline in seven months, according to figures from the National Bureau of Statistics.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • America’s wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also contributed significantly to the squandering of its unipolar moment and setting off the decline of the American century.
    Narges Bajoghli, Time, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Some locals in Venice, which has dealt with overtourism that has strained the city’s infrastructure and services for years, will protest the wedding over concerns its scale will worsen some of the issues created by excessive tourist crowds.
    Antonio Pequeño IV, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
  • Maybe Meta made subtle changes in its training recipe that accidentally worsened the memorization problem.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • The program’s vehicles were rentals and will be returned to vendors as the program subsides.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 24 June 2025
  • Once the killing subsided, a desperate search began to find a way to prevent such a catastrophe from happening again.
    Oona A. Hathaway, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • As the Blatter regime down the road at FIFA began to crumble, Platini became the heir apparent.
    Oliver Kay, New York Times, 12 June 2025
  • But the friendship crumbled under the weight of ego, the 2016 election, marathon training, and Carole’s younger boyfriend, Adam.
    Eddie Mouradian, Vulture, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

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