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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
On that day, a total solar eclipse will sweep across Australia and plunge Sydney Harbor into midday darkness for nearly four minutes. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026 Younger millennials, age 27 to 35, saw their share of first-time buyers plunge from 71% to 60% in a single year. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 July 2026
Noun
The top has inner plunge cups, invisible wire support, and a smoothing V-neck. — Alexandra Malmed, InStyle, 16 July 2026 An outdoor sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge are enticing draws no matter the season, while an full alfresco dining set up and fire pit surrounded by lounge seating provide a comfy place to unwind and take in the surrounding views. — Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 15 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
  • Speier’s co-founder dipped out of the business in November 2022.
    — Julia Coin July 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 July 2026
  • Trump’s top border policy advisor, Tom Homan, told Fox News on Monday that monthly detention numbers dipped because of the partial government shutdown earlier this year.
    — Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • The Odyssey are being produced by Insight Editions for late summer and fall releases.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
  • The situation becomes less complicated if a mango from a neighbor’s tree falls onto your property.
    — Amaia Gavica, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • Last school year the district experienced an enrollment drop of about 13,000 students, the Miami Herald reported and is projected to lose another 8,000 in the upcoming school year.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
  • Besides Divinity, directed by Soderbergh protégé Eddie Alcazar, Willis used her own money to launch a clothing line, a venture that fizzled out after an initial drop.
    — Gustavo Turner, HollywoodReporter, 24 July 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • Days after analysts at more than a dozen banks rolled out price targets that were almost uniformly bullish, the shares tumbled below their $135 IPO price for the first time, then kept falling toward $125.
    — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 18 July 2026
  • Last month, oil prices tumbled after the US and Iran agreed to a 60-day ceasefire and increasing numbers of ships were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • Yet, as the WNBA descends upon Chicago for All-Star weekend, Engelbert is reaching an inflection point in her tenure.
    — Annie Costabile, New York Times, 24 July 2026
  • The complaints about regulations are one of the many cases where SNGA descends into political and cultural grievance.
    — ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • And no contemporary actor can actually claim the same descent as Helen, who hatched from a swan’s egg.
    — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
  • In the water, the Diving app can track depth and temperature as well as safe ascent and descent speeds.
    — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 24 July 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • Leavenworth County Attorney Todd Thompson, who previously oversaw the prosecution against Hermes, declined to comment on the closed criminal case or Hermes’ campaign.
    — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026
  • However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.
    — Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 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 25 Jul. 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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