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ebb

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verb

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word ebb distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ebb are abate, subside, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When could abate be used to replace ebb?

While the synonyms abate and ebb are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When can subside be used instead of ebb?

In some situations, the words subside and ebb are roughly equivalent. However, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When might wane be a better fit than ebb?

The words wane and ebb can be used in similar contexts, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

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 ebb
Noun
Consumers so far have been willing to pay record prices thanks to recent trends around wage and employment growth, according to Swanson, but prices could drop if demand ebbs. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 12 Feb. 2025 But relations between the US and China, the world’s two most powerful nations, have sunk to their lowest ebb in decades, strained by spiraling competition over technology, military, geopolitics and more. Nectar Gan, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
Recent positive results against Liverpool, Arsenal and Southampton indicate that a work rate has returned to United — one that had largely ebbed away in the final weeks of Erik ten Hag’s tenure. Carl Anka, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 The decrease was even more dramatic — a 28% drop — when measured against numbers from 2022 when violence ebbed after the first two years of the pandemic. Libor Jany, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
  • Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.
    Ydanis Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2025
  • In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.
    Joel Carboni, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.
    Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • New York Open Data showed that certain types of delays, such as those related to braking issues, rail and roadbed problems and service delivery, decreased on the A line from September to December.
    Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In Florida, nearly all 67 counties saw a decline in childhood immunizations among kindergartners since COVID came in 2020, state data shows.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Target – whose RSI is 16.8 – lost about 9% this week, touching a 52-week low on Friday and bringing its year-to-date decline to nearly 23%.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 15 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • But losses continued, worsened by the high inflation that had shoppers tightening their clothing budgets.
    Alina Selyukh, NPR, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Prepare for funding challenges Securing financing before a downturn worsens can be a game-changer.
    Melissa Houston, Forbes, 16 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Crime has since subsided, though its memory hasn’t.
    Aatish Bhatia, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • The uproar surrounding the election has not subsided since that time, despite Ganim later winning two court-ordered re-do elections in 2024.
    Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.
    WWD, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
  • Cloistered within the dense Mediterranean scrub lay crumbling remnants of bunkers and barracks.
    Gina DeCaprio Vercesi, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Marcos appeared on nationwide television around midnight shortly after Duterte was flown out and denied the allegations of the vice president, who has had a bitter falling out with him after their whirlwind political alliance as running mates in the 2022 elections crumbled.
    Jim Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.

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