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

as in to subside

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

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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

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 wane

Verb

The network had struggled in the waning years under General Electric’s ownership. — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026 The show’s relevance waned, and some of us grew up, moved on, and stopped caring. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 16 Oct. 2026

Noun

Movie genres wax and wane over time in a way that can be borderline imperceptible. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 22 Aug. 2026 Perinatal mental health experts say the symptoms can wax and wane so they might initially be dismissed. — Deborah Becker, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wane

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wane

Verb

Winds were expected to subside across much of Northern California on Friday, but gusty conditions were forecast to continue in southern portions of PG&E’s service territory into Saturday morning.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026
But within a couple years, as the pandemic eased and community-police tension subsided, Bolingbrook Police Chief Mike Rompa started using his village purchasing card – known as a p-card – in a different way than others with the same cards.

— Irika Sargent, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of subside

Noun

The number of swing House seats nationally—already at a low ebb—could shrink to as low as the teens, insulating most members of Congress from routine electoral accountability.

— Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
Elias said voters will see the role of good governance and nonprofits that have played a prominent role in preelection litigation ebb as candidates and their parties take on a more central role in cases specific to individual races.

— Eric McDaniel, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of ebb

Verb

The definitive study of feedback, Avraham Kluger and Angelo DeNisi’s meta-analysis of 23,663 observations, found that over a third of feedback interventions decreased performance.

— Zaharia-Gabriel Sidere, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
These include gravitational forces, commonly known as G-forces, that increase or decrease the pressure riders feel on their bodies during rapid acceleration and deceleration.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

In an email, general manager and head brewer David Bulcock told The Star that their original location, which opened in 2019, saw a slump in foot traffic and bookings for their event space located in the back of the brewery and roastery.

— Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, other pockets of the economy remain weak, weighed down by feeble consumption and a multiyear property slump.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of slump

Verb

But the opening period didn’t end without a scary moment, as Antetokounmpo fell hard on his back side after being fouled on a dunk attempt late in the first quarter.

— Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026
Shares of Oracle fell about 9% amid a broader downturn for stocks of top AI stakeholders.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of fall

Noun

In 2021, he was given a more dire cancer diagnosis, but after treatment was in full remission.

— Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2026
Immix Biopharma said its experimental CAR-T therapy induced complete remissions in 89% of patients with AL Amyloidosis, a rare autoimmune disorder in which toxic proteins build up in organs like the heart and kidneys.

— Meghana Keshavan, STAT, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of remission

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“Wane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wane. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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