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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic.
—Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Gravity didn’t cooperate enough on the five sinking, two-seam fastballs that got hammered up in the zone.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The sinking left eight people dead.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The video did not mention any specific orders, but the six were plainly referring to the sinking of Venezuelan ships in international waters topped off by the killing of survivors clinging to the wreckage of their vessel.
—James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the sinking.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The sinking of the Titanic, which took place seventeen days after Scott’s death, gave her the idea for the one after that, Every Man for Himself (1996).
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In some simulations, the sinking began after 1 to 3 million years and reached the base of the shell after 5 to 10 million years.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The video shows the vessel being struck before breaking apart and sinking rapidly beneath the ocean’s surface.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
The inundation coastal regions will experience due to rising sea levels may actually be worse than previously thought when factoring in how rapidly the land is sinking, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Sri Lankan military has rescued at least 30 people on board a sinking Iranian ship near Sri Lankan waters today, the country’s foreign minister told Parliament.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
The Navy also has unleashed submariners, with a sub sinking an Iranian ship with a torpedo.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Hayes is sinking touch shots around the rim now.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down just 403 points after sinking as many as 1,200 points earlier in the session.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The memory foam provides luxurious comfort that your muscles will love sinking into.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
Noun
Videos and photos posted online appeared to show the back of the tanker engulfed in flames and smoke and sinking.
—CBS News, 1 Mar. 2026
Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic.
—Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Gravity didn’t cooperate enough on the five sinking, two-seam fastballs that got hammered up in the zone.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2026
The sinking left eight people dead.
—Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 16 Feb. 2026
The video did not mention any specific orders, but the six were plainly referring to the sinking of Venezuelan ships in international waters topped off by the killing of survivors clinging to the wreckage of their vessel.
—James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the sinking.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The sinking of the Titanic, which took place seventeen days after Scott’s death, gave her the idea for the one after that, Every Man for Himself (1996).
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In some simulations, the sinking began after 1 to 3 million years and reached the base of the shell after 5 to 10 million years.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
However, the situation remains fluid as the conflict continues to widen — with the US sinking an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka and NATO forces intercepting an Iranian missile headed for Turkey.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The video shows the vessel being struck before breaking apart and sinking rapidly beneath the ocean’s surface.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
The inundation coastal regions will experience due to rising sea levels may actually be worse than previously thought when factoring in how rapidly the land is sinking, according to the study.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
The Sri Lankan military has rescued at least 30 people on board a sinking Iranian ship near Sri Lankan waters today, the country’s foreign minister told Parliament.
—Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
The Navy also has unleashed submariners, with a sub sinking an Iranian ship with a torpedo.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2026
Hayes is sinking touch shots around the rim now.
—Los Angeles Times, 4 Mar. 2026
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down just 403 points after sinking as many as 1,200 points earlier in the session.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026
The memory foam provides luxurious comfort that your muscles will love sinking into.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinking
Adjective
-
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
-
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,
18 Jan. 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
-
Chesapeake employs 344 before a collapse in natural gas prices sends its stock value plummeting.—
Steve Lackmeyer,
Oklahoman,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The shutdown is part of a response by the government to ongoing protests against rising inflation and the value of the nation's currency plummeting.—
Berly McCoy,
NPR,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Attorneys argue Colin Gray's accountability for shooting Prosecutors argued that Colin Gray gave his son the weapon used in the shooting and ammunition despite multiple warning signs that the boy's mental state was deteriorating.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
The supervisors voted more than four years ago to shut down Men’s Central Jail, a downtown facility notorious for dangerous and deteriorating conditions, without building a replacement.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
Verb
-
In winter, the air below the peaks can plunge into the Uco Valley, in a stifling zonda wind.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
-
But Army-Navy’s defense proved too stifling.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
This verdict about the vanishing house is on appeal.—
Dave Lieber
Feb. 25,
Dallas Morning News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
To Camille, Kyle is a woman who threatens her vanishing worth and desirability.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 Mar. 2026
-
That deal, which required Iran to limit its nuclear program by, among other things, cutting enrichment levels and reducing centrifuges, took effect in 2016 and was due to expire 10 years after it was adopted.—
Michael Collins,
USA Today,
28 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinking. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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