plunged; plunging
1
: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something
plunged the dagger
2
: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently
plunged the nation into economic depression
1
: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
2
a
: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward
also
: to move oneself in such a manner
plunged off the embankment
b
: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly
plunges into project after project
c
: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly
3
: to descend or dip suddenly
the stock's value plunged
Examples of plunge in a Sentence
Verb
Her car plunged off a bridge.
The stock market plunged yesterday.
The President's approval rating has plunged to 20 percent.
The moose population has plunged in recent years.
The rocky cliffs plunge into the swirling rapids below.
The road plunges down the mountain.
Noun
Amazingly, the cat survived its plunge from the building's roof.
Market analysts predicted a price plunge.
The store experienced a sharp plunge in sales.
Recent Examples on the Web
Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
In the second quarter, as tariffs took effect, imports plunged and companies sold off their inventories.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
The suite’s 11,000 square feet of outdoor space include a private garden with a plunge pool shaded by fragrant lemon and olive trees–a prime perch for soaking up the island’s spectacular sunsets.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plunge
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Verb
Tip: Don't plunge too hard, as that can create large air bubbles, which will make the milk taste grainy.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
In the second quarter, as tariffs took effect, imports plunged and companies sold off their inventories.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
Secret Bay's collection of twenty-three villas has private plunge pools and butler service, and expansive indoor-outdoor living space with views ranging from rainforest to the Caribbean Sea.
—Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2025
The suite’s 11,000 square feet of outdoor space include a private garden with a plunge pool shaded by fragrant lemon and olive trees–a prime perch for soaking up the island’s spectacular sunsets.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for plunge
Cite this Entry
“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunge. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plunge
1 of 2 verb
plunged; plunging
1
: to push or drive into something with force
plunged a knife into the pie
2
: to leap or dive into water
3
a
: to rush with reckless haste
plunged into debt
b
: to bring into an unpleasant state
plunged the family into gloom
4
: to dip or move suddenly downward or forward and downward
the road plunges along the slope
plunge
2 of 2 noun
: a sudden dive, leap, or rush
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