Synonyms of plunge

plunge 1 of 2

verb

ˈplənj 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dive
• sound
• dip
• pitch
• submerge
• immerse
• plunk
• plump
• belly flop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• surface

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dip
• fall
• tumble
• decline
• drop
• plummet
• sink
• dive
• descend
• skid
• decrease
• crash
• nose-dive
• lower
• retreat
• subside
• crater
• die (down)
• diminish
• moderate
• taper off
• dwindle
• wane
• abate
• ebb
• recede
• droop
• lessen
• let up
• de-escalate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• lift
• ascend
• arise
• soar
• mount
• increase
• build
• grow
• spike
• expand
• accumulate
• intensify
• up
• enlarge
• swell
• pick up
• escalate
• wax
• snowball
• mushroom
• balloon
• burgeon

3

as in to fall

to lead or extend downward

a stairway plunging into darkness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fall
• descend
• sink
• slope
• dip
• drop
• decline
• tilt
• lean
• tip
• angle
• incline
• heel
• list
• cant
• slant
• cock
• recline

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• climb
• ascend
• arise
• mount
• plane
• upturn
• uprise
• straighten
• even
• flatten
• level
• upsweep
• smooth

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dive
• dip
• tumble
• pitch
• drop
• descent
• slip
• immersion
• spill
• submersion
• fall
• stumble
• plump
• header
• swan dive
• jackknife
• belly flop

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• jump
• leap

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• drop
• dip
• descent
• dive
• decline
• fall
• down
• nosedive
• sinking
• downfall
• downgrade
• plummeting
• comedown

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• climb
• ascent
• soaring
• advance
• progress
• upturn
• upswing
• progression
• rising
• headway
• improvement
• betterment

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of plunge

Verb

For years, conservatives have been painting California as a progressive basket case, predicting that Democratic mismanagement would plunge its economy down the tubes and send rich people fleeing. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

While the cause of the tragedy remains unknown, air traffic radio captured the pilot’s voice as the plane plunged straight toward the ground. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Noun

Inside the spa, which costs $85 to enter, visitors will find saunas as hot as 220 degrees, cold-plunge pools, steam rooms and banya treatments that whisk naked bodies with oak leaves and essential oils. — Maddie Connors, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

According to the National Institutes of Health, brown fat actually helps the body generate heat by burning calories when exposed to cold temperatures, though research has not established cold plunges as an effective weight-loss method. — Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026