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
Relevance
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
In another look from the trip, Nader debuted a matching leopard-print top with a plunging neckline, finishing the outfit with oversized sunglasses, a straw cowboy hat and a gold pendant.
—
Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The Bridesmaids alum put a NSFW twist on power dressing at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday night, turning heads in nothing but a sheer layer of mesh and a black velvet bow tie under her belly button-plunging blazer.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
The black strapless dress had a steeply plunging neckline and corset bodice, which included a structural beaded detail at the waist, framed by a bit of tulle.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
On the other end of the temperature spectrum, a whole market of cold plunge tubs has emerged as cold-plunging becomes mainstream.
—Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Moon said suggesting a lesser sentence for someone accused of undermining the Constitution and plunging the country into crisis would be an affront to justice and common sense.
—Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026
The first episode sees an Amish leader, Bishop Vernon, question Bates about her short skirt and plunging neckline.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
At the end of his first year as CEO, a blizzard known as Winter Storm Elliott triggered an operational meltdown, stranding thousands of Southwest customers at the height of the holiday season, paralyzing the company’s point-to-point network, and plunging the company into a profit-killing crisis.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 14 Jan. 2026
The Bridesmaids alum put a NSFW twist on power dressing at Cipriani 42nd Street on Tuesday night, turning heads in nothing but a sheer layer of mesh and a black velvet bow tie under her belly button-plunging blazer.
—Lara Walsh, InStyle, 14 Jan. 2026
The black strapless dress had a steeply plunging neckline and corset bodice, which included a structural beaded detail at the waist, framed by a bit of tulle.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 14 Jan. 2026
On the other end of the temperature spectrum, a whole market of cold plunge tubs has emerged as cold-plunging becomes mainstream.
—Laura Fenton, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
Moon said suggesting a lesser sentence for someone accused of undermining the Constitution and plunging the country into crisis would be an affront to justice and common sense.
—Hakyung Kate Lee, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2026
The first episode sees an Amish leader, Bishop Vernon, question Bates about her short skirt and plunging neckline.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 14 Jan. 2026
The Creature is slowed, however, when gunfire shatters the ice around its feet, plunging it into the cold sea.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
At the end of his first year as CEO, a blizzard known as Winter Storm Elliott triggered an operational meltdown, stranding thousands of Southwest customers at the height of the holiday season, paralyzing the company’s point-to-point network, and plunging the company into a profit-killing crisis.
—Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plunging
Verb
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For the basketball vision, Chu showed it by crunching numbers, diving into shot profiles and showing prospects what could be possible.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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On a separate note, art, fertility and hobbies will bring you so much joy — so focus on these areas rather than just diving straightaway into work.—
Kyle Thomas,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Shop my favorite airport looks for winter travel below, with each outfit falling at or below $100.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Sicilian way is to lie, like seals, sprawled along the rocks with a towel and a cold beer before descending abruptly into intense shades of blue.—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
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The rampant unpacking of his account descending into ad hominem attacks feels counterintuitive to what people want from celebrities now, a patina of authenticity.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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After Amabile said Medicaid and behavioral health programs would be cut, other Democrats wondered about dipping further into the state’s reserves to backfill the shortfall and avoid cutting social services.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
14 Jan. 2026
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Once it was plated, Ortiz urged me to karate-chop it, producing decadent cheese crisps for dipping into guacamole.—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Hobbs pointed out that some residents’ wells have gone dry as water levels have plummeted in the Ranegras Plain, and that the land has been sinking as the aquifer is depleted.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Jan. 2026
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Schettino had abandoned ship prematurely while 300 passengers were stuck in the sinking ship.—
Lorenzino Estrada,
AZCentral.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The footage shows Kim tumbling hard onto the snow and sliding across the halfpipe.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Spencer Jones blocked Joel Embiid's tip-in attempt, tumbling over Edgecombe.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Mavis Leno's advanced dementia diagnosis was revealed in 2024, when her husband was granted conservatorship over her estate amid her declining health.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Jan. 2026
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District leaders pointed to declining student achievement, a lack of resources for the school's special education program, and insurmountable financial issues with the school.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The town’s population was plummeting and Hermon says that watching his friends go without him would have felt like abandonment, leaving him only with an unending future in the army to contemplate.—
Simon Hughes,
New York Times,
12 Jan. 2026
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Factors behind the plummeting herd size include drought and high costs of supplies and equipment.—
Judith Kohler,
Denver Post,
11 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plunging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunging. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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