WANE Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'wane' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wane are abate , ebb , and subside . While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive. // waning enthusiasm

Q: When could 'abate' be used to replace 'wane'?

The words abate and wane can be used in similar contexts, but abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing. // the storm abated

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ebb' instead of 'wane'?

While in some cases nearly identical to wane , ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes. // the ebbing of daylight

Q: Where would 'subside' be a reasonable alternative to 'wane'?

The meanings of subside and wane largely overlap; however, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation. // the protests subsided after a few days

wane 1 of 2

verb

ˈwān

Definition of wane next

as in to subside

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually in the course of the evening the storm steadily waned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wane

2 of 2

noun

as in ebb

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How is the word wane distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wane are abate, ebb, and subside. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

When could abate be used to replace wane?

The words abate and wane can be used in similar contexts, but abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When is it sensible to use ebb instead of wane?

While in some cases nearly identical to wane, ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

Where would subside be a reasonable alternative to wane?

The meanings of subside and wane largely overlap; however, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of wane

Verb

Passed by the Senate in the waning hours of the Illinois General Assembly’s fall session — as lawmakers pushed through higher-profile measures such as a Chicago-area transit overhaul — the measure has begun raising free-speech and public accountability concerns. —

Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 The stock has since given back most of those gains as trading activity normalized and speculative interest waned. —

Yun Li, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026

Noun

Other risks around client concentration and the China market are also set to wane. —

Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 3 Dec. 2025 Maternal vaccination or infection protects babies under six months of age, but after that point, their immunity starts to wane. —

Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for wane

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wane

Verb

The pain subsided gradually over a few weeks.

— Patricia Tortolani, Allure, 29 Jan. 2026
While many institutions framed those changes as temporary, a significant share of programs have kept test-optional policies in place well after the public health crisis subsided.

— Anna Esaki-Smith, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026