as in fading
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1
1
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
I had just bought a bundle of shares of the stock when its price sank like a rock
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3
as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
sinks his pride and makes the first step towards a reconciliation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in vanishing
to cease to be visible
that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon
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5
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of
the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass
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6
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the revelation that he has been embezzling for years definitely sinks him in my opinion
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7
as in falling
to lead or extend downward
the road sinks abruptly after that curve
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8
as in weakening
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sinking
Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
More than 20 million people are living on ground sinking above a reservoir.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 1 May 2026
By the time of its sinking, the cutter had completed multiple escort missions through dangerous waters.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Docents opened the building with its Titanic exhibit only to find the premises flooded on April 15, the 114th anniversary of the infamous ship’s sinking.
—Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
In 1999, 81 years after the tragic sinking, the crew members of the Tampa were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Russia still lags well behind the West — and China — in overall ship numbers, and its navy has suffered serious setbacks in the Black Sea at the hands of Ukraine, including the sinking of the fleet’s flagship.
—Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
It's believed that Harbeck was hired by the White Star Line, the company operating the Titanic, to document her maiden voyage, but Harbeck was lost during the sinking and never able to corroborate the story.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
In a spooky coincidence – or perhaps something more – the Titanic exhibit at the Volo museum flooded from Tuesday night's thunderstorms on the exact anniversary of the infamous ship's sinking.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
This sinking motion diverges at the ocean surface and helps enhance the trade winds which blow from east to west.
—Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
But Pat brought hope to the Knicks and to the Garden where there had been precious little across the 1980s, where the ship kept sinking.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
With the prospect of sinking profitability in 2026, Samsung is also making changes.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles County has lost over 40,000 entertainment industry jobs since 2022, with production activity in the city sinking to the lowest level since 1995.
—Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
The military was previously criticized internationally for sinking an Iranian ship in the Indian Ocean in March, the first such incident with a torpedo since World War II.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Last week, the sinking sneaker brand announced its pivot to AI.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 2026
The rising heat and sinking cold created a rotation effect that encouraged tornadoes, Molina said.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Noun
The sinking has damaged part of the Friant-Kern Canal, a major water conduit for farms, reducing its carrying capacity and requiring $326 million in repairs.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026
More than 20 million people are living on ground sinking above a reservoir.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 1 May 2026
By the time of its sinking, the cutter had completed multiple escort missions through dangerous waters.
—Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2026
Docents opened the building with its Titanic exhibit only to find the premises flooded on April 15, the 114th anniversary of the infamous ship’s sinking.
—Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
In 1999, 81 years after the tragic sinking, the crew members of the Tampa were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Russia still lags well behind the West — and China — in overall ship numbers, and its navy has suffered serious setbacks in the Black Sea at the hands of Ukraine, including the sinking of the fleet’s flagship.
—Alan Crawford, Bloomberg, 20 Apr. 2026
It's believed that Harbeck was hired by the White Star Line, the company operating the Titanic, to document her maiden voyage, but Harbeck was lost during the sinking and never able to corroborate the story.
—Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
In a spooky coincidence – or perhaps something more – the Titanic exhibit at the Volo museum flooded from Tuesday night's thunderstorms on the exact anniversary of the infamous ship's sinking.
—Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
Verb
Chicago White Sox left fielder Tanner Murray went all-out in the 10th inning Sunday against the Washington Nationals, diving to catch CJ Abrams’ sinking liner.
—Lamond Pope, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026
This sinking motion diverges at the ocean surface and helps enhance the trade winds which blow from east to west.
—Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
But Pat brought hope to the Knicks and to the Garden where there had been precious little across the 1980s, where the ship kept sinking.
—Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
With the prospect of sinking profitability in 2026, Samsung is also making changes.
—ArsTechnica, 24 Apr. 2026
Los Angeles County has lost over 40,000 entertainment industry jobs since 2022, with production activity in the city sinking to the lowest level since 1995.
—Julia Boorstin, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
The military was previously criticized internationally for sinking an Iranian ship in the Indian Ocean in March, the first such incident with a torpedo since World War II.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2026
Last week, the sinking sneaker brand announced its pivot to AI.
—Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 23 Apr. 2026
The rising heat and sinking cold created a rotation effect that encouraged tornadoes, Molina said.
—Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinking
Adjective
-
Livaura Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts cell turnover and collagen production, while fading wrinkles, fine lines, and reducing visible signs of aging like dullness, dark spots, and texture.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Thus, the wrecking ball came for the Purple Passion Pit and the rest of the complex, a monument to a fading but wonderfully hospitable era of Chicago entertainment and local entrepreneurship.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The process, known as lithospheric foundering, resembles a geological process on Earth in which portions of the planet's outermost layer sink into the mantle.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Any major foundering in New Mexico could have long-lasting consequences.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
With enrollment plummeting and bloated staffing levels, the district is already on shaky financial footing and can’t sustain payroll without drawing down its reserves.—
Aaron Garth Smith,
Oc Register,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Chesapeake employs 344 before a collapse in natural gas prices sends its stock value plummeting.—
Steve Lackmeyer,
Oklahoman,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The poll also points to broader economic malaise; 55% of Americans say recent price increases have led to financial hardship, and the same number say their financial situation is deteriorating.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
-
In all cases, companies are reporting a surge in oil trading activity, tempered somewhat by the deteriorating outlook for natural gas production, stemming from Iranian air strikes severely damaging crucial gas production sites in the Gulf.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In recent months, JNIM relentlessly attacked fuel tankers on the road, coming from neighboring Senegal and Ivory Coast, plunging Bamako into crisis well before the Iran war tightened global fuel supplies.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Lopez wowed in a striking silver bodysuit that featured a plunging neckline.—
Sarah Sotoodeh , Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While some can be overbearingly hot, the hammam here is kept at the perfect temperature with just the right amount of steam, never stifling or claustrophobic.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Rudy Gobert followed his inspired Game 2 effort against Nikola Jokic by stifling the three-time MVP again on an ugly 7-for-26 shooting night, and the Timberwolves established a postseason franchise record by allowing the Nuggets just 11 points in the tone-setting first quarter.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
After 26 minutes, that lead was vanishing.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to his wife vanishing, he was illegally captured by Joe Turner, the brother of the governor of Tennessee, and forced to work on a chain gang for seven years.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
These will compete with strawberries for nutrients and space—worse, cabbage leaves will create shade, reducing flower and fruit production.—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
2 May 2026
-
Supporters of a rescue including labor unions representing Spirit’s pilots, flight attendants and ramp workers said a collapse would put thousands of Americans out of work and hurt consumers by reducing airline competition and increasing airfares.—
Aamer Madhani,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinking. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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