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
Netflix is plunging deeper into the Harlan Coben business with a new series based on his Myron Bolitar novels.
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 May 2026
The actress and singer wore a plunging one-piece for the beachside photoshoot, which was captured by photographer Kat Irlin in South Caicos.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Both events promise unforgettable views of the sun's corona, plunging daytime into an eerie twilight.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
The key to plunging a sink is creating the right seal and applying the right amount of pressure.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Shares have rebounded 32% this year after plunging between 2022 and 2025.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 6 May 2026
More accumulation was expected with temperatures plunging overnight and the heaviest snow continuing into Wednesday morning.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
During Chicago’s bitter winter of 2013-2014, the Humboldt Park Lagoon froze over, and snow piled on top of the thick layer of ice, plunging vegetation into a deadly darkness.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Consumer sentiment is plunging.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 13 May 2026
The actress and singer wore a plunging one-piece for the beachside photoshoot, which was captured by photographer Kat Irlin in South Caicos.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026
Both events promise unforgettable views of the sun's corona, plunging daytime into an eerie twilight.
—Jamie Carter, Space.com, 10 May 2026
The key to plunging a sink is creating the right seal and applying the right amount of pressure.
—Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 May 2026
Shares have rebounded 32% this year after plunging between 2022 and 2025.
—Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 6 May 2026
More accumulation was expected with temperatures plunging overnight and the heaviest snow continuing into Wednesday morning.
—ABC News, 5 May 2026
During Chicago’s bitter winter of 2013-2014, the Humboldt Park Lagoon froze over, and snow piled on top of the thick layer of ice, plunging vegetation into a deadly darkness.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
Consumer sentiment is plunging.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plunging
Verb
-
The three stars began by diving ever-so-casually into stories about their interactions with Michael Jackson, Tupac, Kanye and Dave Chappelle.—
Malina Saval,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
But time moves quickly in an NBA front office — especially for the Bulls, who are diving into a critical period of the offseason after winning big in the draft lottery Sunday.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Oakland's housing market is seeing some of the steepest price declines in the country, with home values falling sharply as sellers, buyers and real estate agents navigate a difficult market.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
-
Despite this spark of hope, by his teens, Ian’s dreams of becoming a soccer player are falling apart as rejection, oppression and his own internal rage take their toll.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
12 May 2026
Verb
-
The steeply descending main street of Haworth is filled with tea shops, pubs and stores clearly dedicated to pleasing Brontë pilgrims, but its basic form, including the original stationery store where the sisters once bought their paper, remains the same.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
-
Case in point is the Haryma necklace, where yellow and orange diamonds come to play with garnets and white diamonds to create a shading effect on the necklace and figurative tiger descending a staircase arrangement supported by five imperial topazes, totaling just over 28 carats.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
13 May 2026
Verb
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The strength of that belief has fluctuated, dipping sharply after their March defeat by City before rising again in recent weeks.—
Ayo Akinwolere,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
-
Home values have a habit of falling just when your job security may be dipping, too.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Verb
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Seeking a diplomatic win to counter sinking domestic popularity amid the Iran conflict and inflation, Trump aims to secure Chinese purchases of American goods and establish trade frameworks.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
-
Colorado spent six innings flailing away against Skenes before Mickey Moniak's sinking line-drive single to left-center with one out in the seventh.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The resulting brawl saw the alligator rapidly tumbling at the officers like a log rolling down hill.—
Mark Price,
Charlotte Observer,
12 May 2026
-
Even then, Toyota never had the outright pace of BMW, with the #8 Toyota eventually tumbling out of the top 10 after two stops on consecutive laps.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
Black Bear officials cited the program's declining participation rates and finances as the reason.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
-
Sadly, bat populations are declining rapidly in North America.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Soaring costs for veterinary care and animal food, combined with plummeting donations during economic hardship, have left sanctuaries across the region struggling to meet basic animal welfare needs.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Monday’s announcement sent logistics stocks in a tailspin, with GXO shares plummeting more than 17 percent during the day.—
Glenn Taylor,
Footwear News,
6 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plunging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunging. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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