Synonyms of wane

wane 1 of 2

verb

ˈwān 

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

• subside
• diminish
• decrease
• decline
• fall
• vanish
• shrink
• dwindle
• ease
• recede
• ebb
• taper
• relent
• weaken
• die (away or down or out)
• drop (off)
• fall away
• moderate
• lessen
• pall
• abate
• evaporate
• let up
• drain (away)
• taper off
• remit
• lower
• phase down
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• de-escalate
• collapse
• slacken
• fade (away)
• compress
• constrict
• contract
• melt (away)
• tail (off)
• relax
• slow (down)
• alleviate
• condense
• peter (out)
• give out
• fritter (away)
• sink
• cave (in)
• deflate
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• grow
• increase
• intensify
• build
• soar
• expand
• escalate
• appear
• accumulate
• swell
• wax
• emerge
• enlarge
• mount
• pick up
• snowball
• mushroom
• burgeon
• balloon
• show up
• lengthen
• bourgeon
• distend
• elongate
• blow up

wane

2 of 2

noun

as in ebb

Related Words

• ebb
• decline
• slump
• remission
• retreat
• weakening
• drop
• slowdown
• flagging
• deceleration
• retardation
• halt
• arrest
• collapse
• letup
• braking
• stoppage
• fall
• plunge
• downshift
• crash
• check

Dissimilar Words

• acceleration
• quickening
• hastening

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of wane

Verb

Unlike other parts of the country where the intensity of war waxes and wanes, eastern Ukraine has known no respite from the thud of artillery, the roar of missiles, and the hum of drones. —Dominique Soguel, Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2025

During the solar cycle, the number of sunspots waxes and wanes. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 24 Mar. 2025

Noun

The blockbuster dolls quickly filled the void left by the waning popularity of the Bratz line. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 10 July 2025

Russia intensified its air assault against Ukraine Friday night, days after the United States froze an air defense shipment due to waning weapons stockpile. —Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 5 July 2025

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