wane

1 of 2

verb

ˈwān 

waned; waning

intransitive verb

1

: to decrease in size, extent, or degree : dwindle: such as

a

: to diminish in phase or intensity

—used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets

b

: to become less brilliant or powerful : dim

c

: to flow out : ebb

2

: to fall gradually from power, prosperity, or influence

wane

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the act or process of waning

strength on the wane

b

: a period or time of waning

specifically : the period from the full moon to the new moon

2

[Middle English, defect, from Old English wana; akin to Old English wan deficient] : a defect in lumber characterized by bark or a lack of wood at a corner or edge

Did you know?

In her book Braiding Sweetgrass, scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer, an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, recounts some of the stories of her people surrounding Windigos, fearsome, shrieking monsters that prey on human flesh: “The Windigo is most powerful in the Hungry Times. With the warm breezes his power wanes.” Wane is a verb used when something—such as strength, power, or influence—decreases or diminishes, usually with the implication that the lessening is gradual, natural, or—as in the case of the Windigo—seasonal. Daylight wanes, as does summer. In a classroom, one’s attention may be said to wane if, minute by minute, one becomes more interested in watching birds through the window than following the points of the professor’s lecture. For centuries, wane has also been called upon to describe the seeming decrease in the size of the moon in the later phases of the lunar cycle. The traditional opposite of wane is wax, a once common but now rare synonym of grow. Wane and wax have been partnered in references to the moon since the Middle Ages.

Synonyms

Verb

• abate
• de-escalate
• decline
• decrease
• die (away or down or out)
• diminish
• drain (away)
• drop (off)
• dwindle
• ease
• ebb
• fall
• fall away
• lessen
• let up
• lower
• moderate
• pall
• phase down
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• recede
• relent
• remit
• shrink
• subside
• taper
• taper off

Choose the Right Synonym for wane

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 wane in a Sentence

Verb

The moon waxes and then wanes.

The scandal caused her popularity to wane.

Interest in this issue has continued to wane.

the waning days of summer

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

President Joe Biden is leaning heavily into his clemency powers in the waning days of his term, using a tool only available to an incumbent without fear of political backlash. —W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 24 Dec. 2024

Like Biden, Harry Truman and Lyndon Johnson were former vice presidents who also shared much greater disapproval than approval from voters during their waning days in the White House. —Matthew A. Winkler Bloomberg Opinion (tns), arkansasonline.com, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

Such observations could help researchers better understand how the sun’s activity waxes and wanes. —Denise Chow, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024

The sun has an 11-year cycle during which its magnetic activity waxes and wanes. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English wanien, wanen, going back to Old English wanian, going back to Germanic *wanōjan- (whence Old High German wanōn "to lessen," Old Norse vana), weak verb derivative from *wano- "deficient, absent," whence Old English & Old High German wan "lacking, deficient," Old Norse vanr, Gothic wans; akin to Latin vānus "empty, vain," Greek eûnis "bereft (of), without," Sanskrit ūna- "deficient, defective"

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wane

• on the wane

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Kids Definition

wane

1 of 2 verb

ˈwān 

waned; waning

1

: to grow gradually smaller or less

the moon wanes

2

: to lose power, prosperity, or influence

the nation waned as its commerce declined

3

: to draw toward an end

summer is waning

wane

2 of 2 noun

1

: the act or process of waning

2

: a period or time of waning

especially : the period from the full phase of the moon to the new moon