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
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Armas pointed to the ebbs and flows of development throughout the year.
—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Eric Fisher,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Noun
Throughout its history the company has gone through the ebbs and flows of the jewelry sector, impacted to various extents by wars, macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical disruption.
—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
27 May 2026
Armas pointed to the ebbs and flows of development throughout the year.
—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Verb
The general pattern of rain will ebb and flow over that time.
—
Eric Fisher,
CBS News,
22 June 2026
Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology said long-term corrosion and the failure of multiple slab-to-column connections likely contributed to a progressive collapse after weeks of structural deterioration.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Verb
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England reached stumps on 103-4 after 15 overs, still needing 270 runs in its seemingly forlorn chase of 373 to win on a deteriorating pitch and heading for a first defeat in a home series of three or more tests since 2012.
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Intensifying wildfires across eastern Utah and western Colorado are sending thick smoke into portions of the state, creating hazy skies and deteriorating air quality for many mountain and western Colorado communities.
Verb
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This significantly minimizes cybersecurity risks by decreasing the number of outside players that may have access to the data through cloud or hardware infrastructure.
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As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
Noun
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Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.
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This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.
Verb
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Jan Paul van Hecke of the Netherlands has been involved in two scraps already, the latest when he was hit while going for a header and crumbled, perhaps exaggerating a tad, after Morocco's Azzedine Ounahi challenged the header, as well.
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Survivors say that doors to the facility were locked and that migrants were left to die inside crumbling walls.
Verb
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Without tick bites, red meat, or dairy to incite it, the immune response will subside eventually.
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A little light headedness was the only immediate side effect for a first-timer, but that quickly subsided.
Noun
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The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.
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Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.
Verb
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The uninterrupted sun dries out soil increasing drought risk, and light winds allow pollutants to build up, worsening air quality, particularly in urban areas.
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People in the area are advised to remain ready to leave again if conditions worsen.
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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