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
Investors sent shares of the chipmaker plunging 15% in extended trading. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026 The separation was finalized in December 2025, shortly before his personal life erupted into a series of accusations from his ex-wife, threatening to plunge his campaign into ruin. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
Noun
Since then, the dramatic plunge has reversed, especially in Appalachia, where thousands of miners are suffering from early, advanced and fatal stages of disease, according to data gathered from clinics testing and treating miners. — Howard Berkes, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026 However, a couples’ massage cabin is in the works, as well as a wellness area with outdoor saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunge pools. — Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 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
  • Interviews with Nolan and the film’s cast and crew dive into the creative process of the film.
    — Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026
  • GamersNexus dives a little deeper into the wider scope of this problem.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of dive
Verb
  • In terms of lead or co-lead roles, women and girls have seen progress (38 films in 2025 compared to 20 in 2007), but the figure dipped from the 19-year high of 55 lead/co-lead roles in 2024.
    — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Even though the forecast for this year is solid, with Cisco projecting revenue growth of about 15%, analysts see sales growth dipping next fiscal year back into the single digits.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • Brokerages price crypto like an asset class, a few dozen basis points and falling.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Kabita quickly fell pregnant with a daughter of her own, Sonam.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • Unlike other meat products, the cost of chicken has seen little fluctuation in recent months, so much so that July’s 3-cent drop signaled the single biggest monthly change dating back to November 2024.
    — Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The critic who found a helpful narrative to understand the history, and future, of our images, without a drop of cynicism.
    — Carlos Valladares, ARTnews.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • Oil prices tumbled at the start of the week on optimism that a deal to reopen the strait could be imminent.
    — Sophia Saifi, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • White, the former Illinois secretary of state, is on the Snowballs’ advisory board, and Emmanuel McGhee, the tumbling team’s head coach, is also a coach for the Snowballs.
    — Chris Placek, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • As thousands of car enthusiasts prepare to descend on Metro Detroit for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, a Michigan lawmaker is pushing legislation to crack down on excessively loud vehicles.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Baseball descended on this site — just 20 miles from where the Hawkeye state intersects with Wisconsin and Illinois across the Mississippi River, where the iconic 1989 movie starring Kevin Costner was filmed.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • In the second decade of the twentieth century—a period that became known as la Matanza—the killing of residents of Mexican descent was commonplace along the United States’ southern border.
    — Stephania Taladrid, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Trump and his allies have used the scheme to target Walz’s Democratic administration and the state’s Somali community, as some of the defendants are of Somali descent.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.
    — Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And the university, which declined an interview request about the new program, is not the first to offer content creation courses.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 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 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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