as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
seniors who stay active can keep at bay some of the inevitable ebbing of the memory that comes with advanced years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in waning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in deteriorating
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 subsiding
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
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 ebbing
Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
The state’s political appetite to keep transitioning away from oil has been clearly ebbing as residents balk at the cost of everything in California, most notably the chronically high cost of gasoline and the periodic spikes during a hiccup in production.
—Tom Philp, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Daylight was ebbing as rescuers set up.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Zelensky is hobbled at home, power cuts and frontline casualties blighting morale, and the repeat agony of loss, diplomatic deceit and pressure, coupled with ebbing aid, lead so many to question where this story ends without a growing Russian win?
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
Some Fed officials worry about flying blind on data at a time when the most recent readings point to a softening labor market but inflation that, while ebbing slightly, is still considerably above the Fed’s 2% target.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
Rising drug and hospital costs are often cited as major culprits for rising health insurance costs, and neither shows signs of ebbing.
—Phil Galewitz, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
In that period, with the Covid pandemic ebbing, thousands were detained and sent home.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025
Verb
They wed in September 2021, in the ebbing months of the pandemic.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 16 Jan. 2026
The state’s political appetite to keep transitioning away from oil has been clearly ebbing as residents balk at the cost of everything in California, most notably the chronically high cost of gasoline and the periodic spikes during a hiccup in production.
—Tom Philp, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Daylight was ebbing as rescuers set up.
—Alan Gionet, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Zelensky is hobbled at home, power cuts and frontline casualties blighting morale, and the repeat agony of loss, diplomatic deceit and pressure, coupled with ebbing aid, lead so many to question where this story ends without a growing Russian win?
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 3 Dec. 2025
Some Fed officials worry about flying blind on data at a time when the most recent readings point to a softening labor market but inflation that, while ebbing slightly, is still considerably above the Fed’s 2% target.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 13 Nov. 2025
Rising drug and hospital costs are often cited as major culprits for rising health insurance costs, and neither shows signs of ebbing.
—Phil Galewitz, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebbing
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
Adjective
-
Even better, the peak of this shower, which should produce on average between 8 to 10 meteors per hour, will arrive under dark skies thanks to a meager waning crescent moon.—
Michael d'Estries,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to default notices, a group of commercial property owners at Blackhawk Plaza have filed a lawsuit in Contra Costa County Superior Court that paints a picture of deteriorating conditions at the once-vibrant shopping center.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Harris said the mad dash to achieve human-level AI could create harmful incentives for unchecked growth, ultimately deteriorating safety, security, and economic well-being.—
Jake Angelo,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sausalito crews set up a 4-inch pump near Gate 5 Road in the city’s northernmost neighborhood, where the grounds have been subsiding.—
Steven Rosenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Most officials are expecting slowing hiring coupled with a low level of layoffs that, rather than suggesting a material weakening, point more to stabilization.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
-
But a weakening of the job market, on the other hand, could push it to resume cuts more quickly.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With ceilings crumbling and utilities failing, residents are looking to the courts to intervene.—
Elle McLogan,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Louvre Museum tightens security measures News of the robbery shocked the world and sparked criticism over the museum's inadequate security and crumbling infrastructure.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The biggest shift in the financial model of newspapers that has occurred in the transition from print to digital is a decreasing reliance on advertising and an increasing reliance on direct payments from subscribers.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The formulation hits all the targets my tired eyes crave—brightening dark circles, decreasing puffiness, and reducing the look of fine lines.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Leaking water can cause structural decay, mold growth, destroyed flooring, and more.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Lambdas are ideal for spin research because the direction of a lambda’s spin can be inferred from the direction in which a proton or antiproton is emitted during its decay.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Ebbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebbing. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
