plunge 1 of 2

verb

ˈplənj How to pronounce plunge (audio)
Definition of plungenext
1
as in to dive
to cast oneself head first into deep water she took a deep breath and plunged from the side of the pool

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2
as in to dip
to go to a lower level especially abruptly prices for those televisions have really plunged since they were first introduced

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3
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward a stairway plunging into darkness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plunge

2 of 2

noun

1
as in dive
an act or instance of diving the Olympic diver took a well-executed plunge off the diving board

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2
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude an overnight plunge in temperature sent the thermometer to below the freezing mark

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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 plunge
Verb
The latest downgrade follows Fitch plunging the district’s bond rating to junk status in the spring. — Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026 College enrollments are down and tuition revenue has dropped, plunging many universities into the red, despite increasing their prices. — Reynald Fasciaux, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Noun
The former choir loft serves as a private bar with a martini cart, while the church’s onetime playground is now home to a plunge pool and patio. — Mickey Rapkin, HollywoodReporter, 10 Oct. 2026 The extensive wellness area is built into the rocks with a series of open-air mezzanines, treatment rooms, shady sea-viewing spots and plunge pools. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plunge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plunge
  1. dive
  2. dip
  3. fall
  4. drop
  5. tumble
  6. descend
  7. descent
  8. decline
Verb
  • Here, Benavidez Clayton dives into the reasons behind BCI’s regenerative push, why social impact is a critical piece of the puzzle and how brands can get involved.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Special Agent 0 dove over the ropes to knock down all three of his opponents.
    — Ryan Gaydos OutKick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of dive
Verb
  • Fashion designers are dipping couture in peat; memes on Instagram offer help choosing your bog witch name.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Denver Water recommends disconnecting garden hoses and shutting off outdoor faucets before temperatures dip below freezing.
    — Tori Mason, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter.
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Shares of Oracle fell about 9% amid a broader downturn for stocks of top AI stakeholders.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • With stimulus checks gone and student loan payments back, Maggiulli suggests the drop may partly be a return to normal.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026
  • For instance, the company launched its bronzing drops because community members asked for them on a TikTok live, and created a pickle lip balm because pickles were a huge trend on social media.
    — Colleen McKown, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • The tech-heavy index posted its worst decline since July on Wednesday, as shares of companies involved in the AI buildout, including chipmakers, tumbled.
    — Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This week's losses have placed the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in negative territory week to date, as the former has fallen nearly 1% in the period, while the latter has tumbled more than 2%.
    — Justina Lee,Sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • But this morning an air of foreboding awakened me, and my little fishing barometer was already descending past the 29 mark.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Authorities say Riek and his passengers were flying to Menominee from Kenosha, and the NTSB said Riek reported icing on the wings and needed to descend.
    — Frankie McLister, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • El-Sayed, an American of Egyptian descent who would be the first Muslim senator if elected, has rankled at the GOP accusations, including in a recent TV interview.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Air traffic control approved the descent, and the plane began a right descending turn that increased sharply in rate until communications and data tracking were lost.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • The two executives declined to give the company’s wholesale volume.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • His office declined to comment when asked about Overton’s involvement in drafting the scientific justification document.
    — David Lim, semafor.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

plunders
plunge
plunged
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Cite this Entry

“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunge. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plunge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plunge

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