as in declining
Related Words
Relevance
as in fading
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in decreasing
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
in the course of the evening the storm steadily waned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 16 Jan. 2026
Lauren J. Young, Scientific American, 21 Aug. 2025
Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
If the likes of OpenAI and SpaceX/xAI truly wish to target $1 trillion-plus equity values at a time when tech share-buyback firepower is waning, the public's willingness to bless such towering capitalizations will surely be tested.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
But Tennessee picked away at its deficit, and a barrage of 3-pointers in the waning minutes set the stage for some drama.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 15 Feb. 2026
Not Trump-specific A cycle of waning influence through a presidential term is nothing new, Cantrill acknowledges.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Set in the waning days of WWII on the German island of Amrum, the synopsis reads, 12-year-old Nanning spends days working the farm and nights fishing.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
The weather was clearm with a waning crescent moon hovering low on the eastern horizon, as four humans strapped in for a rocket ride to space.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
In retrospect, High Maintenance is a bit of a time capsule — a snapshot of weed’s waning days as a countercultural signifier.
—Ezra Marcus, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Since 2015, Seattle fans have carried the bitter taste of Super Bowl XLIX, when the Patriots edged the Seahawks 28-24 thanks to Butler's stunning goal line interception of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the game's waning seconds, one of the most famous plays in NFL history.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 2026
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
Fortunately for all retailers, the EIPs’ enthusiasm for shopping isn’t waning.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 19 Feb. 2026
If the likes of OpenAI and SpaceX/xAI truly wish to target $1 trillion-plus equity values at a time when tech share-buyback firepower is waning, the public's willingness to bless such towering capitalizations will surely be tested.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 16 Feb. 2026
But Tennessee picked away at its deficit, and a barrage of 3-pointers in the waning minutes set the stage for some drama.
—Danny Davis, Austin American Statesman, 15 Feb. 2026
Not Trump-specific A cycle of waning influence through a presidential term is nothing new, Cantrill acknowledges.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Set in the waning days of WWII on the German island of Amrum, the synopsis reads, 12-year-old Nanning spends days working the farm and nights fishing.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 13 Feb. 2026
The weather was clearm with a waning crescent moon hovering low on the eastern horizon, as four humans strapped in for a rocket ride to space.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Feb. 2026
In retrospect, High Maintenance is a bit of a time capsule — a snapshot of weed’s waning days as a countercultural signifier.
—Ezra Marcus, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
Since 2015, Seattle fans have carried the bitter taste of Super Bowl XLIX, when the Patriots edged the Seahawks 28-24 thanks to Butler's stunning goal line interception of Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in the game's waning seconds, one of the most famous plays in NFL history.
—CBS News, 9 Feb. 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
-
Meanwhile, a low-luster finish gives paint a subtle sheen that wears off over time, while minimizing overall fading because the paint is better protected from the elements.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But Schanelec also exhibits a talent for depicting fading romance, doing it in an elusively deadpan way that at times recalls the work of Eric Rohmer.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The bill prohibits cities and counties from decreasing funding for public safety, which representatives from the local governments say isn’t possible.—
Alexandra Glorioso,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The goal is to minimize traffic spillover onto surrounding streets while providing more reliable travel times for people in cars and freight trucks and decreasing travel times for buses.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 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
-
Check For Underwatering A peace lily with drooping or wilting leaves is probably a thirsty plant.—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
-
Some professors are treating wilting attention spans as a problem to be solved, not a reality to accept.—
Rose Horowitch,
The Atlantic,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.—
Letters to the Editor,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Read the story » More Top Stories David Remnick speaks with Conan O’Brien about prepping for the Oscars, the diminishing relevance of late-night TV, and the loss of his close friends Rob and Michele Reiner.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Police said the ice conditions subsiding and the low tide conditions made for a much easier search, which involved multiple drones.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In that period, with the Covid pandemic ebbing, thousands were detained and sent home.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Waning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/waning. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
