waning 1 of 3

Definition of waningnext

waning

2 of 3

noun

waning

3 of 3

verb

present participle of wane

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 waning
Adjective
Even better, the peak of this shower, which should produce on average between 8 to 10 meteors per hour, will arrive under dark skies thanks to a meager waning crescent moon. Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
Noun
But Wells points out that in addition to the natural waning of the virus, other public health measures, such as vaccination and isolation, are instrumental in stopping its spread. Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
His 10th rebound came in the waning seconds of the second. Oc Register, 31 Jan. 2026 The practice remains a staple for lawmakers, who sometimes use it to tie up loose ends in the waning days of hectic legislative sessions. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026 In the waning days of the show, Springer began hosting The Jerry Springer Podcast (2022), and later slammed a gavel on the courtroom show Judge Jerry (2019–2022). Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026 These criteria have also helped to rein in presidential overreach, although in this respect, their force may be waning. Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 The faint crescent of a waning moon hung over the trees. Tim Neville, Travel + Leisure, 27 Jan. 2026 Passed by the Senate in the waning hours of the Illinois General Assembly’s fall session — as lawmakers pushed through higher-profile measures such as a Chicago-area transit overhaul — the measure has begun raising free-speech and public accountability concerns. Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026 Maye threw for just 86 yards, but ran for 65 and iced the win with a 7-yard keeper on third-and-5 in the waning minutes to send the Patriots (17-3) to the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel’s first year as coach. Dallas Morning News, 25 Jan. 2026 That role is currently filled by Kevin O’Toole, a longtime New Jersey politico, who was nominated and approved for another six-year term last month in the waning, lame-duck weeks of former New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy’s term. Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for waning
Adjective
  • While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.
    Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
  • In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.
    Fox News, Fox News, 15 May 2020
Noun
  • The sheets felt slightly softer after washing and drying them, and there were no snags, tears, loose threads, or color fading.
    Brandi Fuller, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Turn jeans inside out, wash on a gentle cycle, and skip fabric softener to reduce fading and wear.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Supports Heart Health Magnesium and turmeric together may reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing inflammation, improving circulation, and supporting cardiovascular function.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Back then, debasement was done by decreasing the amount of precious metals within gold and silver coins that were used as currency and increasing the amount of cheaper base metals, like copper.
    Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
  • Garden centers aren't giving a refund for a dying or dead plant but rather a discount on a new purchase.
    Lauren David, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Yellow stippling on plant leaves and sticky honeydew residue can be signs of pests, but pests can also cause leaf wilting and stunted growth.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Jan. 2026
  • Avoid any heads with cracks, bruises, wilting leaves, or signs of mold.
    Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • But while the statement is getting a lot of attention, the far bigger story in Ottawa is the team’s diminishing playoff odds.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The committee’s Democratic members savaged Rubio for diminishing America’s global role; the meeting grew so rancorous that Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho who was Rubio’s closest friend in the Senate, had to repeatedly bang his gavel to bring order.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Beyond the curse of high expectations, other headwinds that weighed on Eaton's shares appear to be subsiding, including capacity expansion.
    Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
  • Hurricane conditions are occurring within the warning area in Cuba but expected to begin subsiding this afternoon.
    MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • In that period, with the Covid pandemic ebbing, thousands were detained and sent home.
    Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Waning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waning. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.

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