ebb

1 of 2

noun

ˈeb 

1

: the reflux of the tide toward the sea

2

: a point or condition of decline

our spirits were at a low ebb

ebb

2 of 2

verb

ebbed; ebbing; ebbs

intransitive verb

1

: to recede from the flood

2

: to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state

his popularity ebbed

Synonyms

Noun

• decadence
• declension
• declination
• decline
• degeneracy
• degeneration
• degradation
• dégringolade
• descent
• deterioration
• devolution
• downfall
• downgrade
• eclipse
• fall

Verb

• atrophy
• crumble
• decay
• decline
• degenerate
• descend
• deteriorate
• devolve
• regress
• retrograde
• rot
• sink
• worsen

Choose the Right Synonym for ebb

abate, subside, wane, ebb mean to die down in force or intensity.

abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

Examples of ebb in a Sentence

Noun

Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.

a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country

Verb

waiting for the tide to ebb

the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those relations were at a low ebb under Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. —Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2025

Some progressive Democrats haven’t experienced an ebb in the consistent anger toward Musk and Trump at town halls in their district. —Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025

Verb

Meanwhile, foreign tourism to the U.S. seems to be ebbing; March flights dropped 10% from the same time last year, per the Department of Commerce. —Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2025

Successive starts by Randy Vásquez (five innings, one hit, one run) on Wednesday, Nick Pivetta (seven innings, three hits, zero runs) on Friday and Hart have served to ebb some concern about a rotation that had an 11.21 ERA and 2.55 WHIP and worked just 17⅔ innings in its previous five-start turn. —Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from — more at of

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing ebb

• ebb and flow
• ebb tide

Rhymes for ebb

• deb
• web
• cobweb

Kids Definition

ebb

1 of 2 noun

ˈeb 

1

: the flow away from the shore of seawater brought in by the tide

2

: a passing from a high to a low point

our spirits were at a low ebb

also : the time of such a passing

ebb

2 of 2 verb

1

: to recede from the flood

2

: to fall from a higher level or better state : weaken

her strength ebbed