1
as in diving
to cast oneself head first into deep water
she took a deep breath and plunged from the side of the pool
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in falling
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
prices for those televisions have really plunged since they were first introduced
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in descending
to lead or extend downward
a stairway plunging into darkness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plunging
Illuminated against Austin’s panoramic skyline at Auditorium Shores, Christina Aguilera greeted the Sips & Sounds spectators in a plunging red latex bodysuit, matching elbow gloves and thigh-high black boots.
—
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
That struggle hit a breaking point on March 16 with the collapse of Cuba's national electric grid, plunging 10 million people into darkness amid the oil blockade that has worsened the island's already outdated generation system.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
On Monday, Cuba’s energy grid collapsed, plunging ten million people into the dark.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
The dress featured a plunging neckline and an unexpected detail of an asymmetrical hip cutout on one side.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Oil had suddenly skyrocketed to just shy of $120 a barrel and stock futures were plunging as the war raged in the Middle East.
—Denitsa Tsekova, Bloomberg, 10 Mar. 2026
Trump had earlier signaled that the conflict with Iran could end soon, sending oil prices plunging 10% before paring losses.
—Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Global markets also took a beating, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunging more than 5% and markets across Europe losing between 2% and 3%.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
If Evans’ body is simply breaking down, the 49ers are plunging headfirst into another season of offensive chaos.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
That struggle hit a breaking point on March 16 with the collapse of Cuba's national electric grid, plunging 10 million people into darkness amid the oil blockade that has worsened the island's already outdated generation system.
—Kate Perez, USA Today, 17 Mar. 2026
On Monday, Cuba’s energy grid collapsed, plunging ten million people into the dark.
—Patrick Oppmann, CNN Money, 17 Mar. 2026
The dress featured a plunging neckline and an unexpected detail of an asymmetrical hip cutout on one side.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 16 Mar. 2026
Oil had suddenly skyrocketed to just shy of $120 a barrel and stock futures were plunging as the war raged in the Middle East.
—Denitsa Tsekova, Bloomberg, 10 Mar. 2026
Trump had earlier signaled that the conflict with Iran could end soon, sending oil prices plunging 10% before paring losses.
—Sean Conlon,lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 10 Mar. 2026
Global markets also took a beating, with Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index plunging more than 5% and markets across Europe losing between 2% and 3%.
—Elaine Kurtenbach, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026
If Evans’ body is simply breaking down, the 49ers are plunging headfirst into another season of offensive chaos.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 9 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plunging
Verb
-
Higgins was not diving with Conch Republic Divers.—
David Goodhue,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The food scene here is also worth diving into.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Conyears-Ervin, Chicago’s treasurer since 2019, launched her second bid for the seat after falling short of unseating incumbent Davis two years ago.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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In fact, the temperature at Camp Mabry, Austin’s main weather observation site, tied the record for the largest 24-hour temperature drop, falling 58 degrees from a high of 97 degrees Sunday afternoon to a low of 39 degrees Monday morning.—
Newsroom Meteorologist,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Footage from the scene shows the paraglider descending toward a slope filled with skiers and snowboarders.—
Kelly McGreal,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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On Wednesday, astronomer and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell reported that a large collection of Starlink satellites has been descending, cutting the distance for the satellite beams to reach Earth.—
Michael Kan,
PC Magazine,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The colorful, flavorful wrappers are as fun as the fillings (which range from cilantro or kimchi pork to butternut squash and shrimp to tofu, mushroom and kale), and the variety of dipping sauces (classic, ginger smash, gochujang and old godmother spicy peanut) make every bite an adventure.—
Jess Fleming,
Twin Cities,
19 Mar. 2026
-
Highs climb from the low 80s Saturday, March 21, into the mid-80s Sunday, March 22, before dipping to the upper 60s–low 70s by midweek.—
Brandi D. Addison,
USA Today,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Pilgrim was used for decades by the Ocean Institute to teach local school children about maritime history before sinking while in her harbor berth in 2020.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
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Federal funding is covering about $4 million of the $9 million project to fix the roads’ sinking foundation.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Butterflies zigzagging around the gates, the sound of water tumbling down the mountainside, cutting through the greenery.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Opened in 1927 as a high-rise apartment building but converted during the war years into an upscale stay, the Pontchartrain had suffered over decades of rising damp and tumbling fortunes.—
Rick Bragg,
Southern Living,
15 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Haithcock said schools have been financially hamstrung since Act 10 – the Scott Walker-era landmark law in 2011 that curtailed union bargaining power and cut take-home pay for workers – especially amid declining student enrollment.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
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While an unconventional choice for the typically squeaky-clean Bachelor franchise, a soft-swinging TikTok influencer turned reality star at first sounded like the 180 the franchise desperately needed after years of declining ratings and a seemingly outdated format amid modern dating culture.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Elsewhere, the film division was impacted by a 19-percent drop in sales to French broadcasters; and plummeting Pay 2 window deals.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
16 Mar. 2026
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The ratings for the Oscars have been ticking up since plummeting to an all-time low in 2021 during the pandemic.—
Lindsey Bahr,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plunging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunging. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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