1
as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunges
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in stifles
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 disappears
to cease to be visible
that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in reduces
to diminish the price or value of
the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in humiliates
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in falls
to lead or extend downward
the road sinks abruptly after that curve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in fades
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in dumps
a place of great vice and corruption
was able to rise above the sink that was his birthplace
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sinks
Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Smart, anti-theft crossbody bags An overfilled tote can easily turn into a black hole mid-travel—everything sinks to the bottom, and nothing feels secure.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The titular vampire gang has formed a band, and when its members start to shred, the stage sinks down to create a mosh pit—a hellish underworld into which victims later drop.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
First, the men are menaced by an enormous, enraged sperm whale (terrifying, even as on some level the reader can’t help rooting for it against the harpoons), which rams and ultimately sinks their boat.
—Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
The seafaring masterpiece sinks every other shark movie in its utter perfection.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Unlike a hard plastic jerkbait, which immediately rises when not in motion, a soft plastic jerkbait hovers or, if on a weighted hook, slowly sinks.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Playback time sinks a lot with ANC enabled, hitting just 8 hours, or 36 including the case.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Still, not every part of the city sinks at the same rate, Bekaert said.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Sink habits that prevent stains and clogs Family sinks collect more than toothpaste.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
The restaurant was closed due to a wastewater backup underneath the sinks, as well as no available hot water service in the building.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger and is thrust into a journey real-life marine creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
When a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, though, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
Double sinks, a marble large shower, a stand-alone tub, and RikRak products makes the Whitby bathrooms some of our favorite in the city.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
First, in your home, be sure to repair toilets or sinks that keep running, dripping, or leaking.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
After Jaxson Hayes free throws, James sinks another layup.
—Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
Smart, anti-theft crossbody bags An overfilled tote can easily turn into a black hole mid-travel—everything sinks to the bottom, and nothing feels secure.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 1 May 2026
The titular vampire gang has formed a band, and when its members start to shred, the stage sinks down to create a mosh pit—a hellish underworld into which victims later drop.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026
First, the men are menaced by an enormous, enraged sperm whale (terrifying, even as on some level the reader can’t help rooting for it against the harpoons), which rams and ultimately sinks their boat.
—Eva Holland, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2026
The seafaring masterpiece sinks every other shark movie in its utter perfection.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
Unlike a hard plastic jerkbait, which immediately rises when not in motion, a soft plastic jerkbait hovers or, if on a weighted hook, slowly sinks.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 29 Mar. 2026
Playback time sinks a lot with ANC enabled, hitting just 8 hours, or 36 including the case.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 26 Mar. 2026
Astin sinks into his pathetic character with full commitment, but the running gag about Ron getting more upset about the possibility of being banned from the fast-food restaurant than anything else is hammered so relentlessly that the character just seems mentally challenged.
—Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
Use them to clean toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, counters, and floors.
—Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 1 May 2026
Still, not every part of the city sinks at the same rate, Bekaert said.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Sink habits that prevent stains and clogs Family sinks collect more than toothpaste.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026
The restaurant was closed due to a wastewater backup underneath the sinks, as well as no available hot water service in the building.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2026
But when a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, Ally’s peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger and is thrust into a journey real-life marine creatures as the film explores themes of friendship and courage.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026
When a mysterious aircraft sinks into the ocean, though, her peaceful world is suddenly thrown into danger.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026
Double sinks, a marble large shower, a stand-alone tub, and RikRak products makes the Whitby bathrooms some of our favorite in the city.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Apr. 2026
First, in your home, be sure to repair toilets or sinks that keep running, dripping, or leaking.
—Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinks
Verb
-
Hospitals use the same billing codes for the ER visit, whether a patient’s condition deteriorates or not.—
Andrew Jones,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Her condition rapidly deteriorates to the point where Abbott and Robby are forced to do a C-Section in the ER, with seconds to spare to save her life and the life of the baby.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Ernaux’s signature method of resisting interpretation and incarnating the past plunges us into this girl’s experience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Architectonics takes this murky style and plunges it to a new deep, incorporating the bronze gong and chime sounds of gamelan while burying his rhythms in dense, dubby layers of incense smoke.—
Sam Goldner,
Pitchfork,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Conversely, destructive energy hinders performance, breeds resentment, and stifles innovation.—
Rebecca Ahmed,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Overregulation stifles business, regardless of industry.—
John Cleveland,
Boston Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Whatever baggage attaches to Ben Lerner and his novels disappears, and what is left is the experience, for me, a powerful, even indelible experience.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2026
-
Across from it, the fitting area disappears behind Schumacher curtains patterned with soft florals and a geometric trim.—
Lilah Ramzi,
Vogue,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Congress should invest in technology, innovation and infrastructure that reduces wildfire risk, protects water supply and develops cleaner energy that works for California families.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Also, reusing local rubble reduces the carbon emissions from transporting heavy sand and gravel across long distances.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
And the President doesn’t seem to mind if Vance humiliates himself running errands.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Later that season, Eric humiliates Bill in front of their Pierpoint colleagues by insulting his work quality and Bill dies from brain cancer.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Jupiter Jupiter, as darkness falls, will be roughly one-third up from the western horizon to the point directly overhead.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
2 May 2026
-
The shoulder season falls between peak travel windows, after ski season winds down and before summer crowds arrive.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Verb
-
After the rogue’s gallery is introduced early on, nearly everyone except for Tim, Elliot, and Rebecca fades into the background, although delightfully, Emma Thompson nails her brief comedic role as a brusque solicitor handling George’s last will and testament.—
Wilson Chapman,
IndieWire,
8 May 2026
-
This weekend, the moon fades toward last quarter, opening up darker skies with each passing night.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinks. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
