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
  • On a senior-laden team with high expectations last season, there was no time for a sophomore like him to dip his feet into the pool to test the water at the varsity level.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Orlane, an A-line midi that also comes in black, is lined and made from 100% wool—wear it with knee-high boots to keep warm as the temperatures dip.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 8 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
  • By the C-suite, Latinas are 1% of executives, down from just under 5% at entry level — a drop of 78% across a career, the largest of any group in the study.
    — Anna Maria Chavez, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Except Fitzgerald was never inconsistent in his pass catching while Harrison has struggled with drops.
    — Armando Salguero OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • The main structures at the front (the spa, gym, studio, and reception) are made of natural stone with bougainvillea tumbling down their sides, set between shallow pools of water, echoing the floating effect of the resort above the mangroves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Labor market shifts The US trucking industry is shaking off a nearly four-year downturn, a post-pandemic correction marked by tumbling freight rates, carrier bankruptcies, and a high-cost/tepid-volume operating environment.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • As the town and its residents descend into chaos after a massive iceberg emerges from the water, Calvin realizes it might all be connected to his father’s accident.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • But unlike other Floridians of Cuban descent — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio — Valdes ended up defending Cuba’s socialist revolutionaries and officials who have killed, jailed, tortured, and censored numerous political enemies.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This allows operators to monitor the aircraft and atmospheric conditions during ascent and descent.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Courtesy of Heineken, 2026 Caton declined to say how many European jobs will go, citing ongoing consultation with staff and the European Works Council.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plunge

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