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
At the waist − and the base of a plunging neckline − is a constellation of orange, pink and deep purple jewels.
—
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 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
Eva Longoria stunned in a plunging white mididress covered in ab-baring cutouts.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 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
The silence of the lake—save for the gentle peal of church bells on Sunday mornings and the plop of ducks plunging beneath the water surface—is a rare and unforgettable pleasure.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
The latest Middle East conflict continues spiraling days after Israel and the US launched their joint operation on Iran, killing more than 1,000 people, triggering retaliatory strikes on Israel and neighboring Gulf states and plunging the region into fear and uncertainty.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 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
Eva Longoria stunned in a plunging white mididress covered in ab-baring cutouts.
—Christina Perrier, InStyle, 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
The silence of the lake—save for the gentle peal of church bells on Sunday mornings and the plop of ducks plunging beneath the water surface—is a rare and unforgettable pleasure.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Mar. 2026
The latest Middle East conflict continues spiraling days after Israel and the US launched their joint operation on Iran, killing more than 1,000 people, triggering retaliatory strikes on Israel and neighboring Gulf states and plunging the region into fear and uncertainty.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 4 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plunging
Verb
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How to pursue time freedom as a couple That process, Hill says, with starts with encouraging couples to dream together rather than diving straight into numbers.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
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Within the opening minutes of the 80-61 win over Rutgers at Williams Arena on Saturday, Grove was diving on the floor for loose balls and battling for rebounds.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Last week, the Washington State Department of Health halted the recreational and commercial harvest of clams, oysters and mussels in Drayton Harbor after receiving multiple reports of people falling ill after consuming raw shellfish from the area.—
Jasmine Mendez
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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In the meantime, racecourse attendances remain below pre-pandemic levels and the industry’s costs are rising, while betting revenue is falling.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Formula 1 returns to Australia this weekend, descending on the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne once again.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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The drone footage of the skiers descending the dizzying glacier is quite the payoff.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a season where the top tier has separated itself from everyone else, Michigan has unfailingly remained consistent, never dipping lower than seventh in the nation (its preseason ranking).—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
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This week the New York Times reported how the Metropolitan Opera — the world’s largest performing arts institution — is bleeding money, and dipping into its endowment to make up for sagging ticket sales.—
Andrew Silow-Carroll,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Here's a closer look at the court’s sinking poll numbers.—
Marissa Martinez,
NBC news,
11 Mar. 2026
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The purposeful kicks counter her body’s buoyancy, bringing her down to about 30 feet, then to neutral buoyancy for 10 more feet, and, finally, to negative buoyancy—or freefall, sinking—below 50 to 60 feet.—
Stella Fong,
Outside,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The tumbling Jazz, sitting their best players — injured and healthy — proved that again late Monday night in Utah by beating Golden State 119-116.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Markets reacted swiftly, with Dow futures tumbling 900 points.—
Nur Hikmah Md Ali,
CNBC,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Meanwhile, Iranian retaliatory attacks appear to be declining — ballistic missile strikes have fallen by 90% and drone attacks by 83%, according to US Central Command — potentially easing pressure on Gulf states that have faced Iranian strikes in recent days.—
Alexandra Banner,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Instead of coming from declining direct-to-home satellite taxes, the money would come directly from state sales and use taxes.—
CBS Miami Team,
CBS News,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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That this will result in skyrocketing energy prices that send the world economy plummeting into a deep recession.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Mar. 2026
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At a time when thousands of local newspapers across the nation have folded in the face of plummeting web traffic, advertising losses and shifting reader habits, the rebirth of a community news outlet is rare.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plunging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunging. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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