as in declines
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deteriorates
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 subsides
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of ebbs
Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But the lack of discussion around the ebbs and flows of any long-term career made things feel especially painful.
—Ryan O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Becoming secure Having a secure attachment style looks like being comfortable with closeness and the ebbs and flows of relationships without feeling threatened or deeply wounded.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
This group of players had not played in a cup final together, but have now experienced the ebbs of flows of one.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
Some readers may be old enough to remember the 1976 Bicentennial, which occurred during one of the city’s lowest ebbs and lifted everyone’s spirits.
—John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Skeptics will wonder about the timing of the new release, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced as public attention in politics ebbs and the holiday season hits its peak.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
Game predictions Fowler, thanks to his preternatural understanding of this franchise’s flows and ebbs, somehow stayed perfect after the Panthers’ shutout win last week.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
After a layoff, employee trust ebbs, burnout can increase and quiet quitting can become an attractive option for many workers.
—Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Typically, that ebbs over the course of the season, as players play together more often.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Noun
Whether at home or on the road, Ayton and Smart sit side by side in the locker room – figuring out the ebbs and flows of the season through constant conversation, Smart said.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
But the lack of discussion around the ebbs and flows of any long-term career made things feel especially painful.
—Ryan O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 4 May 2026
Becoming secure Having a secure attachment style looks like being comfortable with closeness and the ebbs and flows of relationships without feeling threatened or deeply wounded.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026
This group of players had not played in a cup final together, but have now experienced the ebbs of flows of one.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026
Some readers may be old enough to remember the 1976 Bicentennial, which occurred during one of the city’s lowest ebbs and lifted everyone’s spirits.
—John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Skeptics will wonder about the timing of the new release, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced as public attention in politics ebbs and the holiday season hits its peak.
—Niall Stanage, The Hill, 23 Dec. 2025
Game predictions Fowler, thanks to his preternatural understanding of this franchise’s flows and ebbs, somehow stayed perfect after the Panthers’ shutout win last week.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 28 Sep. 2025
After a layoff, employee trust ebbs, burnout can increase and quiet quitting can become an attractive option for many workers.
—Mark C. Perna, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
The good news is over 162 games production inevitably ebbs and flows, so before long the Red Sox will make some adjustments and the results should improve.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Apr. 2026
Typically, that ebbs over the course of the season, as players play together more often.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebbs
Noun
-
Their ability to contract declines and their metabolism changes.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
3 May 2026
-
The reasons for the enrollment declines vary, while solutions aren’t around the corner, though some suggest fewer students equals more resources to those who remain.—
Andrew J. Campa,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
Hospitals use the same billing codes for the ER visit, whether a patient’s condition deteriorates or not.—
Andrew Jones,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Her condition rapidly deteriorates to the point where Abbott and Robby are forced to do a C-Section in the ER, with seconds to spare to save her life and the life of the baby.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The chafing is bad enough, but even worse, after the initial irritation subsides, my legs are embarrassingly left with dark spots and hyperpigmentation.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
3 May 2026
-
When their happiness subsides, Spurs will worry about the severity of the injuries suffered by Dominic Solanke and Xavi Simons, with both forced off at Molineux.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Ultimately the interference can lead to flight disruptions and delays as confusion descends on the nerve center of a plane.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
His reality descends in a nightmare as the images seen in the zoetrope manifest in his apartment.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 Apr. 2026
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This is the Land of Waterfalls, home to more than 250 falls, including the majestic Triple Falls, which played a starring role in The Hunger Games.—
Belinda Luksic,
Southern Living,
1 May 2026
-
Preventing head injury − including wearing a helmet for biking and sports, wearing a seatbelt and preventing falls − can keep your brain healthier in the long-run, the organization notes.—
Sara Moniuszko,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
31 Mar. 2026
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Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ebbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebbs. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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