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
With a plunging halter neckline and thigh-high slit, Palmer’s sleeveless dress merged traditional design cues with a contemporary edge. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 From rugged mountain peaks to crystal-clear lakes and plunging waterfalls, Idaho is known for its vast natural wonders. — Idaho Statesman, 29 July 2026
Noun
Wellness brands like Othership followed with a cold plunge culture that TikTok turned into a genuine social ritual. — Olivia Shalhoup, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 The five-year average of colony size has dropped by 80 percent since the mid-’90s, a plunge of some 170 million butterflies. — Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 28 July 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
  • The Premier League is, for the moment, the quintessential men’s league to dive into.
    — Chris Branch, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Yamal’s strike was curling toward the right post, and Martinez dived to knock it away for his 10th save of the afternoon — the most ever in a World Cup final.
    — TIM REYNOLDS, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
Definition of dive
Verb
  • But just as staggering was one of the overnight lows, which dipped to only a searing 97 degrees F (36 degrees C)—a tie for the hottest low that the city’s ever seen, a record first set just three years ago.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 30 July 2026
  • Just a few months ago, mortgage rates dipped below 6% for the first time in years, fueling hopes that lower borrowing costs would revive the sluggish housing market.
    — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • Such is the fate that befalls Meta, whose shares fell as much as 10% in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company missed earnings due to costs ballooning 55% (Meta’s stock later recovered some ground and was down 7%).
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 30 July 2026
  • Rain fell early Thursday in the city of Bordeaux to the east.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • The following season, Toney appeared in a career-high 13 games, but he was plagued by drops and a late-season injury.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The temperature drop will be quite pronounced at elevations above 6,000 feet, with much of the Sierra in the 80s.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • But Jesus eventually heals the man and casts the demons into a herd of pigs, which tumble over a cliff and drown.
    — John Blake, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • By Mark Gurman, Bloomberg Apple tumbled by the most in 16 months after component shortages weighed on the company’s sales forecast, signaling that industrywide supply constraints are taking a bigger toll than anticipated.
    — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 31 July 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • About 40 minutes later, as the plane was starting to descend, it was hit by ice and almost simultaneously, Nome’s runways closed for deicing that would last 10 to 15 minutes, the NTSB reported.
    — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Thousands will descend on Genesee Park to catch the celebrations in and around the waters of Lake Washington.
    — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 30 July 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • In 2013, three Iranian climbers died on descent after summiting Broad Peak.
    — Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • This could easily have triggered a descent back into full-scale conflict.
    — Erik Lin-Greenberg, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • When reached by phone by CNN, one of the lead doctors for the trial, Yu Yongguo, declined to comment and hung up.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The Pentagon declined to comment when contacted by CBS News for this story.
    — James LaPorta, CBS News, 31 July 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 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plunge

Nglish: Translation of plunge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plunge

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