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
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 ebbs
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Construction ebbs and flows with cyclical interest rates.
—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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
Durglo is no stranger to the ebbs and flows of federal dollars and has always pieced together funding from multiple sources, including state government, nonprofits, and federal agencies, to carry out climate work.
—
Ellis Juhlin,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Zayn is the perfect example of anyone dealing with the ebbs and flows of a business.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
For all the ebbs and flows of her career, Larsson has remained uncompromising in her integrity.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
The ebbs and flows will send you through it.
—
Essence,
11 May 2026
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Life ebbs and flows in seasons.
—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
Student housing provides an obvious entry point, but occupancy ebbs and flows based on the academic calendar.
—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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
Noun
Years of going through the ebbs and flows of playoff games had the Knicks ready.
—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Construction ebbs and flows with cyclical interest rates.
—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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
Durglo is no stranger to the ebbs and flows of federal dollars and has always pieced together funding from multiple sources, including state government, nonprofits, and federal agencies, to carry out climate work.
—
Ellis Juhlin,
NPR,
18 May 2026
Zayn is the perfect example of anyone dealing with the ebbs and flows of a business.
—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2026
For all the ebbs and flows of her career, Larsson has remained uncompromising in her integrity.
—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
The ebbs and flows will send you through it.
—
Essence,
11 May 2026
Verb
The district’s cash on hand naturally ebbs and flows depending on when revenue arrives, but repeated Cook County property tax delays last year have deepened the problem.
—
Kate Perez,
Chicago Tribune,
25 June 2026
Participation ebbs and flows with the economy, dropping to 35 million in 2019.
—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Life ebbs and flows in seasons.
—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
17 June 2026
Student housing provides an obvious entry point, but occupancy ebbs and flows based on the academic calendar.
—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
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
-
Numerous theories have been thrown around to try shedding light on the more recent declines among males.
-
But those plans got shelved, first due to the recession and later due to countywide enrollment declines.
Verb
-
Another six months of war and the negotiating position deteriorates.
-
Meetings grow tense, and communication deteriorates.
Verb
-
After the laughter ringing through the room subsides, though, Abela does allow for a moment of reverence — for the HBO drama if not for the disreputable people who populate it.
-
Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.
Verb
-
Now, Drake has pulled ahead of the British singer-songwriter, who descends slightly to tenth place.
-
Avoid morning hours when flowers are damp with dew and late evening when dew descends on the garden.
Verb
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
-
Excessive solitary masturbation decreases intimacy between couples in long-distance relationships.
Noun
-
There's been some stumbling plays, thwarted by tripping and dramatic falls.
-
At this outlet — a falls made of lacy terraces — Duke Kobe, our 19-year-old guide that day, caught his 5¼-pounder.
Verb
-
That is the moment that everything crumbles for Rachel.
-
Loyalty, betrayal, illness and war all bear down on the group as the old order crumbles around them.
Cite this Entry
“Ebbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebbs. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
