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
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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
Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
With a top altitude of 1,100 feet, this position at the highest point in the AVA offers warmer nighttime temperatures than the valley floor thanks to the warm air rising and cool air sinking, while daytime temperatures are lower than in areas closer to sea level.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
After the sinking, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported the Ursa Major was carrying port cranes and hatches designed to cover the nuclear reactors of a new icebreaker being built in Vladivostok.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
This means buildings here are more prone to subsidence, or sinking, and differential foundation settlement, when different parts of the building’s foundation sink at different rates, both of which can cause major structural issues.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
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
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
Jon Duffy, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
The bigger issue is what all this means for a country made up of small islands that are slowly sinking.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
That affects stream flow, soil moisture and the amount of water sinking into the ground and recharging aquifers.
—David Boutt, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
For the sake of a metaphor, De Zerbi was parachuted onto a sinking ship and managed to steer it to shore.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Earlier this month, Rudy was suddenly hospitalized with pneumonia, sinking into a coma before recovering.
—John Avlon, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
The Orioles, sinking further into last place in the American League East, are the product of Mike Elias, an analytics aficionado who came up in the baseball ranks with the Astros under the guidance of disgraced former Houston baseball ops chief Jeff Luhnow.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
The song felt like one that might be performed on the deck of a quickly sinking ship.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Holding my hand out the window of the car on the freeway, sinking to the bottom of a pool, staring into darkness.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026
Noun
Last month, on the 114th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking, the museum’s Titanic exhibit flooded after heavy storms that week.
—Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
With a top altitude of 1,100 feet, this position at the highest point in the AVA offers warmer nighttime temperatures than the valley floor thanks to the warm air rising and cool air sinking, while daytime temperatures are lower than in areas closer to sea level.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 17 May 2026
After the sinking, Russian newspaper Kommersant reported the Ursa Major was carrying port cranes and hatches designed to cover the nuclear reactors of a new icebreaker being built in Vladivostok.
—Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026
This means buildings here are more prone to subsidence, or sinking, and differential foundation settlement, when different parts of the building’s foundation sink at different rates, both of which can cause major structural issues.
—Catherine Odom, Miami Herald, 6 May 2026
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
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
Verb
The explosion ripped the Arizona apart, sinking the ship in minutes.
—Jon Duffy, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
The bigger issue is what all this means for a country made up of small islands that are slowly sinking.
—Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
That affects stream flow, soil moisture and the amount of water sinking into the ground and recharging aquifers.
—David Boutt, The Conversation, 26 May 2026
For the sake of a metaphor, De Zerbi was parachuted onto a sinking ship and managed to steer it to shore.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Earlier this month, Rudy was suddenly hospitalized with pneumonia, sinking into a coma before recovering.
—John Avlon, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
The Orioles, sinking further into last place in the American League East, are the product of Mike Elias, an analytics aficionado who came up in the baseball ranks with the Astros under the guidance of disgraced former Houston baseball ops chief Jeff Luhnow.
—Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
The song felt like one that might be performed on the deck of a quickly sinking ship.
—Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 22 May 2026
Holding my hand out the window of the car on the freeway, sinking to the bottom of a pool, staring into darkness.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 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
-
This review may have already given away a little too much, but high places and plummeting are important details in this story.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
-
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
Verb
-
The project, which began with foundation work in 2022 and expanded to roadway construction in 2023, includes replacing the deteriorating bridge deck, widening shoulders and adding carpool lanes in both directions.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The technical setup is deteriorating, too, as fewer stocks participate in the rally and momentum stalls.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Unfortunately, announced investment plans for clean tech manufacturing totaled just $2 billion in the quarter, plunging by 79% from 2025’s first quarter and the lowest level in more than five years.—
Alan Ohnsman,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2026
-
The bride-to-be wore a white halterneck gown with a plunging neckline and front tie closure.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
Since the party rose to power in 2014, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the helm, critics have accused it of stifling civil liberties and the press, pursuing a Hindu-first agenda, and inflaming religious divisions within India’s secular democracy.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
22 May 2026
-
In a new statement, Kalshi spokesperson Elisabeth Diana emphasizes the company’s position that prediction markets can be additive to the reality TV experience, creating excitement rather than stifling viewership.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Mann is presented as the Last Civilized Man of a vanishing era, whose words, spoken before audiences of officials, are lofty and inspiring.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
-
Despite the black-swan event of the Strait of Hormuz closing, wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, a slowing US labor market and the vanishing likelihood of the Fed cutting rates this year, tech stocks are on a tear.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
The majority-Republican House Committee on Appropriations proposed on Wednesday less extreme but still substantial cuts, slashing 20% from the agency and reducing funding to the state clean water programs by almost 25%.—
Adriana Pérez,
Chicago Tribune,
24 May 2026
-
On the next play, an Evans flyout scored Rey, reducing the deficit to 6-3.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinking. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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