waning 1 of 3

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
There’s the decline in regular religious attendance, which now stands at 34 percent, and the corresponding waning of associated ceremonies. John Semley, Harpers Magazine, 28 July 2026 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
Burrell didn’t record her first field goal until 43 seconds before halftime, but a steal and score in the waning seconds before the buzzer made her 2-for-9 performance from the field (0 for 4 from behind the arc) slightly more palatable. Kai Dizon, Daily News, 12 Aug. 2026 But decades of asymmetric warfare in the Middle East, in which the United States relied largely on drones and bombs, had led some to believe the days of artillery battles were waning. Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 12 Aug. 2026 Another positive trend, as Volkow noted, was the waning popularity of cigarettes, with just 8% of young adults reporting use in the past 30 days. Sarah Todd, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026 The wild swings of recent weeks, driven by waxing and waning hopes for a lasting boost to corporate profits from artificial intelligence, have abated in the past several days. ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Having entered the business in the 1970s and shepherded clients through the post-2000 tech-wreck and then the global financial crisis, he has lately been fixated on the prospect that the secular bull market that began in 2009 is in its waning phase. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026 Talbot reports that Roberts’s control on the Court, and emphasis on collegiality, appears to be waning. David Remnick, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder) for resurrection. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 The second leg of the Triple Crown has recently had its woes as waning interest and a decaying Pimlico Race Course have contributed to a decline in the run over the Maryland dirt just two weeks after the Derby. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 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
  • This locks the fabric color to help reduce bleeding and fading.
    Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 1 Aug. 2026
  • The deep indigo color has no fading, which gives the jeans a sleeker look, and the leg is relaxed throughout but doesn’t look slouchy.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Blue bands ranging from 90% to 25% show decreasing solar coverage across Europe, northern Africa, Canada and parts of the United States.
    Raf Sanchez, NBC news, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the decline in China’s agricultural labor force, driven by the migration of farmers to urban and industrial centers, is also decreasing productivity.
    Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • What’s the vibe for you, post-dying?
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026
  • 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
  • Despite the big upturns for the closers, most Broadway productions saw at least some dips last week, perhaps due to the competition with the three departing shows, or maybe just some summer wilting.
    Greg Evans, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Let the soil dry somewhat between waterings, so that constant moisture isn’t present, but not to the point of wilting.
    Leah Chester-Davis, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Several Gulf countries have already announced plans to expand or build new pipeline capacity to evade the Strait of Hormuz, likely diminishing its importance as a chokepoint within several years.
    Jason Bordoff, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But each step up the sanctions ladder brings greater diplomatic costs — and diminishing certainty that additional economic damage will translate into political concessions.
    Magdalena Del Valle, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The state graded the campus an F for three consecutive years, meaning two more failing grades could trigger an intervention.
    Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • What's more, CEOs say there are no signs of consumer demand ebbing.
    Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
  • Perplexed, Smith texted her friend Jackie Caplan-Auerbach to see if the Western Washington University seismologist might know if this odd ebbing and flowing could be the result of a nearby landslide.
    Megan I. Gannon, Scientific American, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Waning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waning. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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