as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
seniors who stay active can keep at bay some of the inevitable ebbing of the memory that comes with advanced years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deteriorating
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 subsiding
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in waning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebbing
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
-
Dahl’s relationship with the police department was deteriorating.—
Ronan Farrow,
The New Yorker,
24 Mar. 2025
-
His health has been deteriorating since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a toddler.—
Lynsey Addario,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
This stylish planter keeps plants well-watered and is virtually indestructible, designed to resist cracking and crumbling even in freezing temperatures.—
Rachel Ahrnsen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Since gaining public recognition in 2013, a spate of crumbling buildings in Ireland has been known as the mica crisis or scandal.—
The Editors,
JSTOR Daily,
31 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
That’s because warming increases the rate of decay of falling organic debris, so that less of it reaches the twilight zone.—
Tim Vernimmen,
JSTOR Daily,
19 June 2025
-
Certainly not for novelty’s sake; we are hardly starved for dramas of mental decay, or for the stupendous feats of acting that are often achieved in their service.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
19 June 2025
Verb
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Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.—
Kylie Mohr,
Vox,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The stagnation of major economies is worsening the situation.—
Michael Beckley,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
-
After his round, the Irishman did not tolerate the media diminishing his spot in the tournament.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
And what's in Jim's hand as he's seen descending the stairways?—
Bryan Alexander,
USA TODAY,
24 Mar. 2025
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Inflation, which had peaked at an annual rate above 9%, was descending fitfully toward the Fed's goal of 2%.—
Daniel de Visé,
USA TODAY,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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That was after falling less than 13,000 fans short of 3 million in 2022.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2025
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That was what turned last night’s game around and what may be the difference between this team getting all the way to April 6 or falling short.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Ebbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebbing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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