ebb 1 of 2

noun

ˈeb How to pronounce ebb (audio)
Definition of ebbnext
as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ebb

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
My goal is to take the low ebb on trust and begin to rebuild it for the next 60 years. —Cbs Chicago Team, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026 Still, compared with the alternative of continuing a full-scale war that at its peak killed approximately 100 people a day, bringing the conflict to a lower ebb is preferable. —Daniel Depetris, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Verb
Typically, that ebbs over the course of the season, as players play together more often. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2026 They wed in September 2021, in the ebbing months of the pandemic. —Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
  1. deterioration
  2. deteriorate
  3. decrease
  4. decline
  5. crumble
  6. subside
  7. declination
  8. worsen
Noun
  • The report identifies three massive, offsetting policy developments as the primary drivers of this fiscal deterioration.
    — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • The complaint includes several photographs of deterioration and hazards.
    — George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of deterioration
Verb
  • Because of deteriorating conditions, operations were transitioned to a defensive strategy, Marceau said.
    — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Working conditions, meanwhile, have continued to deteriorate as the demands on workers increase.
    — Sam Tabachnik, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of deteriorate
Verb
  • And with Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon—considered the four major hyperscalers—projected to spend an eye-watering $700 billion on AI build-outs in 2026, these prices are unlikely to decrease anytime soon.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Some teachers might use carts for a year or two instead of having their own classroom, but the district’s demographic study shows enrollment will continue to decrease, so that problem will go away.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of decrease
Noun
  • Axios ran these numbers, and calculated the decline in wages as a share of gross domestic income adding up to $12,000; as in, that’s how much less per year the average American is bringing home as a result of this dynamic.
    — Jake Angelo, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
  • Pacific Islander students and American Indian students were the only two student groups out of 11 total who saw a decline in this metric in the same period.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • But empires fall, and dynasties crumble.
    — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • Harkening back to the out-of-this-world aesthetics that won them broad acclaim for Poor Things, the commercial opens on a crumbling modernist edifice on a rocky outcrop in a stormy ocean.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of crumble
Verb
  • Those physicians worry the impacts will last long after the surge subsides.
    — Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The skittishness with tech stocks subsided on Friday, with shares of Nvidia and Microsoft going up, as did the price of Bitcoin.
    — Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of subside
Noun
  • Nachmanoff pressed the Justice Department over whether a formal declination memo deciding against charges for Comey exists.
    — Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Nov. 2025
  • McLaughlin characterized the Fullerton officer’s response as a declination to help.
    — Sierra van der Brug, Oc Register, 10 Nov. 2025
Definition of declination
Verb
  • The hospital cleared him for incarceration with a Narcan prescription and instructions to return to the emergency room if symptoms worsened, the lawsuit alleged.
    — Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 10 Feb. 2026
  • While mandatory restrictions are not expected, Frost said the utility encourages everyday conservation and would coordinate closely with other utilities along the river if drought conditions worsen.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of worsen

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Cite this Entry

“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on ebb

Nglish: Translation of ebb for Spanish Speakers

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