as in decreasing
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of falling away
Sunrays strobed down through the water, illuminating layer upon layer of marine life, falling away to the ocean floor some 15 feet below.
—
Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Away from McDavid and Draisaitl, a group is flourishing, but veterans who were counted on are falling away and losing playing time.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
True dandruff usually appears as larger white-to-yellow flakes with a slightly oily texture that stick to the scalp and hair rather than falling away like fine powder.
—Allure, 18 Dec. 2025
Like a snake shedding its skin, The Girlfriend’s expendable outer layers are falling away to reveal a more interesting core.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026
Away from McDavid and Draisaitl, a group is flourishing, but veterans who were counted on are falling away and losing playing time.
—Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 2 Feb. 2026
True dandruff usually appears as larger white-to-yellow flakes with a slightly oily texture that stick to the scalp and hair rather than falling away like fine powder.
—Allure, 18 Dec. 2025
Like a snake shedding its skin, The Girlfriend’s expendable outer layers are falling away to reveal a more interesting core.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for falling away
Verb
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The biggest shift in the financial model of newspapers that has occurred in the transition from print to digital is a decreasing reliance on advertising and an increasing reliance on direct payments from subscribers.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
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The formulation hits all the targets my tired eyes crave—brightening dark circles, decreasing puffiness, and reducing the look of fine lines.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All there is to do, sometimes, is know in your heart of hearts that a nuanced piece of literature and a provocative and deviant piece of pop culture can exist alongside each other without one diminishing the other.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
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Sausalito crews set up a 4-inch pump near Gate 5 Road in the city’s northernmost neighborhood, where the grounds have been subsiding.—
Steven Rosenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The entire event lasts for about 12 hours, tapering off by midnight.—
Terry Eliasen,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
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The heaviest snow and strongest winds are likely Wednesday, with conditions gradually tapering off late Wednesday.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Freep.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Be cautious of ice accumulating on power lines or tree branches, which can lead to snapping and falling hazards.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
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Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Falling away.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/falling%20away. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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