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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• 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

Examples of wane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

At one point in the race, former President Donald Trump was making the case that Minnesota was in play as enthusiasm surrounding President Joe Biden’s campaign was waning. —Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Aug. 2024

The influence of El Niño has waned and soon may give way to La Niña. —Evan Bush, NBC News, 15 Aug. 2024

Noun

The time scale most relevant to us is an ~11-year-cycle during which the Sun's activity waxes and wanes. —Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 29 Jan. 2024

But the lack of funding and a wane in flexibility threaten to turn the tide once more. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2023

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