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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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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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
Or perhaps no bloc will manage to pull together the 61 Knesset seats needed for a majority, plunging Israel into another round of elections and a reprise of the paralysis that produced five contests between 2019 and 2022. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 26 Oct. 2026 Kardashian’s vintage gown had a plunging sweetheart neckline with front lace-up corset detailing and a mermaid silhouette. — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026
Noun
Each has an ofuro tub, steam shower, infrared sauna, relaxing area to take tea and fruit after a treatment, and an outside garden area with a plunge pool and an outdoor shower. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026 Cold plunges are the fastest-moving recovery anchor by the numbers. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 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
  • After a handful of supremely mellow releases that blended lurching ’90s breakbeats with wintry, Mazzy Star-like songwriting, their third album dives into a vat of mercurial distortion and slippery, all-consuming bass.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026
  • Seattle goalkeeper Andrew Thomas dove to his left to block a penalty kick by Anders Dreyer, but Bakambu knocked in the rebound.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of dive
Verb
  • The team has dipped to a losing record for the first time all season since Week 1 and now has allowed the 3-4 Falcons a direct path to sole ownership of the NFC South later this weekend.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Consumers appear to be dipping into savings or relying on credit to fuel much of their consumption.
    — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • Enrollment has fallen, empty seats cost money, and difficult choices are unavoidable.
    — Tim Lonergan, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • The 6% lead for the No side falls outside the poll’s margin of error, which was around 3% according to PPIC.
    — Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • To Nothing’s credit, the case gets IPX2 ingress protection, so a drop of rain now and then shouldn’t kill it.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Vaibhav steps into the India lineup in place of Ishan Kishan who has a groin injury and will bat at first drop unless India chooses to match him in an all left hand opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • Styled by longtime collaborator and hairstylist Alyx Liu, Lovato’s dark raven locks tumbled down her shoulders in a loose curl pattern, adding to the visual drama.
    — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026
  • As dryers tumbled and washers churned in the background last Wednesday, children at the Wash Smart Laundry on Summit Street in Elgin were learning skills to prepare them for kindergarten.
    — Rick West, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • Some 100,000 people descended on the neighborhood, causing human traffic jams in the narrow streets.
    — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026
  • To keep released fish alive, Florida Sea Grant’s Return ’Em Right program urges anglers to use descending devices, which return fish quickly to depth, and offers free devices to those who complete an online course.
    — Tovar Cerulli, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • Arab Israelis of Palestinian descent make up 20% of the population but are often seen with suspicion because of their sympathies with other Palestinians.
    — Cara Anna, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In theory, the war’s descent into a painful stalemate should open the door to diplomatic outcomes.
    — ALLISON MINOR, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • By comparison, reported federal employment declined by 4% among all other races included in the survey.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Salazar acknowledged polling had been conducted for strategic purposes, but declined to share it.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 30 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 31 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plunge

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