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

Fortunately, a waning crescent moon isn’t expected to be bright enough to obscure the shower, in which 10 meteors can streak across the sky per hour. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 The women’s anxieties, while still palpable, seem to wane as they’re taken care of by Saucedo and Dastine and her staff. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 8 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

Less than a day after that subsided, a second eruption followed.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 9 Oct. 2026
International outrage over the carnage in Gaza, meanwhile, has largely subsided, with many countries preferring a failing peace process to none at all.

— KHALED ELGINDY, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of subside

Noun

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
These kinds of changes are likely to grow rather than ebb over the next decade as AI continues to revolutionize the way companies operate.

— Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of ebb

Verb

When every decision requires multiple levels of authorization, ownership naturally diminishes.

— Guy Yehiav, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026
And where does the water come from for these 10 new cities as the West scrambles for what’s left of diminishing supplies?

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Noun

Huawei's push into the smartphone market comes as sales in China have slumped this year, with a double-digit decline year-on-year in August and September, according to Counterpoint Research.

— Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
The co-CEOs have modeled a cash ramp-up in coming years but meanwhile there’s not a big cushion if churn rises, cable-network declines accelerate, the box office softens again or there’s macroeconomic or geopolitical disruption.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Deaths from the virus have decreased by 36% in the past decade.

— Philip A. Chan, STAT, 8 Oct. 2026
Academics and researchers have proposed a wide variety of causes for the crisis, like changes in the economy, decreasing social connections, access to firearms, and the pandemic.

— Darius Tahir, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

Exports have been a bright spot for China’s economy, which is otherwise struggling with slumping consumption and a years-long property market slump.

— Angelica Ang, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
Hernández and Tucker both went through major slumps at the plate during the season.

— Beth Harris, Chicago Tribune, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of slump

Verb

On the price front, China's residential prices have already fallen by 22% since a 2021 peak, compared with a 67% drop in Japan's after a far greater run-up in prices, the S&P report said.

— Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Insider buying fell 18% to 1,290 buyers, down from 1,580 in the second quarter.

— Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 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 12 Oct. 2026.

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