as in subsides
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
in the course of the evening the storm steadily waned
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Recent Examples of wanes
Helen Branswell, STAT, 6 Jan. 2026
Because protection wanes, people need a new flu shot every season.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
The offensive rebounds pile up, the defensive intensity wanes a bit and momentum can swing just like that.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
The most infectious diseases against which immunity wanes the fastest will be first.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
At this point, the sun’s polar magnetic field switches direction, and after that, its activity wanes back down to a minimum before starting the whole process over again.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025
As the situation escalates, the facade wanes and the feelings between the two characters become increasingly real.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 20 Nov. 2025
This clarity and severity and focus that wanes and waxes as good news, bad news happens, or money is here, money is gone.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 14 Nov. 2025
The first, the Concept guys, tend to peak very young; their creativity wanes early.
—Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Verb
Protection from flu vaccine wanes in the months after vaccination, so studies conducted later in the season might show different levels of effectiveness.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 6 Jan. 2026
Because protection wanes, people need a new flu shot every season.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Dec. 2025
The offensive rebounds pile up, the defensive intensity wanes a bit and momentum can swing just like that.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 17 Dec. 2025
The most infectious diseases against which immunity wanes the fastest will be first.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
At this point, the sun’s polar magnetic field switches direction, and after that, its activity wanes back down to a minimum before starting the whole process over again.
—Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025
As the situation escalates, the facade wanes and the feelings between the two characters become increasingly real.
—Andrew McGowan, Variety, 20 Nov. 2025
This clarity and severity and focus that wanes and waxes as good news, bad news happens, or money is here, money is gone.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 14 Nov. 2025
The first, the Concept guys, tend to peak very young; their creativity wanes early.
—Chuck Palahniuk, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wanes
Verb
-
Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The driver was safely rescued, but their vehicle will stay in the flooded roadway, between the road closures, until the water subsides.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Skeptics will wonder about the timing of the new release, which the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced as public attention in politics ebbs and the holiday season hits its peak.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
23 Dec. 2025
-
Game predictions Fowler, thanks to his preternatural understanding of this franchise’s flows and ebbs, somehow stayed perfect after the Panthers’ shutout win last week.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Prescribed medication is used to manage discomfort, which usually decreases noticeably after the first week.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In Southern California, Ojai is a serene haven of spiritual retreats, boutique shopping, and lush orange groves.—
Amplified Content Studio,
Mercury News,
7 Jan. 2026
-
These natural springs can be enjoyed at traditional properties like Fujiya Ryokan or at modern retreats such as Amanemu, where guests have access to spa onsens and private onsen baths in every suite and villa.—
Taryn White,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But those long hours sitting at a desk, commuting by car or public transport, and spending leisure time in front of screens also diminishes opportunities for the legs to be challenged.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Like California, New York state has also seen production spend declines as studio slates have contracted.—
Erik Hayden,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Those declines were sharper among more affluent households and younger shoppers, with a 7 percentage point year-over-year drop among households with an annual income of more than $100,000 and a 6 percentage point year-over-year fall among shoppers between the ages of 25 and 34, the survey found.—
Melissa Repko,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Described as a love letter to the ’80s classics that captivated a generation, the series was to be set in 1980 Montauk, Long Island, where a young boy vanishes into thin air.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
31 Dec. 2025
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The rain vanishes mid-air, leaving behind only wind that strips away the remaining topsoil.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
By simultaneously hitting three or more targets, these agents promise not only deeper responses but potentially longer remissions in some of the hardest-to-treat cancers.—
William A. Haseltine,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Wanes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wanes. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.
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