as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
as the years went by, the public's interest in the murder case fell away
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 fall away
Next, make a cut from the top slightly farther out so the weight of the branch can fall away safely.
—
Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Midway through a steep sidehill, with a tough right turn at the bottom, racers had to fight to find the fastest line into a hard right turn as the mountain fell away in the other direction.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
As everything around me began to fall away, my mind scattered.
—Adrianne Wright, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Any reservations the guests may have about Melmotte’s background, which was reputed to include shady deals on the European continent, fall away in the presence of his ostentatious displays of wealth.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall away
Rae Ford, Martha Stewart, 21 Feb. 2026
Midway through a steep sidehill, with a tough right turn at the bottom, racers had to fight to find the fastest line into a hard right turn as the mountain fell away in the other direction.
—Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
As everything around me began to fall away, my mind scattered.
—Adrianne Wright, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
Any reservations the guests may have about Melmotte’s background, which was reputed to include shady deals on the European continent, fall away in the presence of his ostentatious displays of wealth.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for fall away
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fall away
Verb
-
This is a mistake that will substantially decrease America’s hard and soft power.—
Adrian Elimian,
semafor.com,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Nearly a week into the latest Middle East conflict, Iran’s strikes in the region have decreased significantly – while US attacks on Iran continue ramping up and Israeli strikes prompt panic in southern Beirut.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
After a decade of dramatic growth, homelessness programs now face a period of diminishing resources.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Advocates say that level of disenrollment will sharply diminish the state’s health care system as a whole, by robbing hospitals and clinics of revenue.—
Andrew Graham
March 9,
Sacbee.com,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Winds were predicted to subside in the evening hours on Saturday before picking back up on Sunday morning, albeit at lower speeds than Saturday morning.—
Austin Turner,
CBS News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The settling of chairs subsided, people shifted into comfortable postures, some laid out on the carpet.—
Sofia Zarran,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Additionally, the Hudson Farmers' Market draws local growers and makers with fresh produce, baked goods, cheeses, and flowers on Saturdays from spring to fall.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
-
The Hurricanes came oh-so-close before falling short, 92-89.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Bonta’s office declined to comment.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Little emphasized the need to ease property taxes in a letter accompanying his signature but criticized Moyle’s approach as rushed and overly complex.—
Mark Dee
March 6,
Idaho Statesman,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s missile-and-drone volleys are tapering off somewhat as launchers are destroyed and inventories expended, but Shaheds are so simple that Iran will likely be able to keep manufacturing and firing them in small numbers nearly indefinitely.—
Brynn Tannehill,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2026
-
The rain will continue most of Tuesday night, tapering off around dawn on Wednesday.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Fall away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fall%20away. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
