as in fading
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1
1
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
I had just bought a bundle of shares of the stock when its price sank like a rock
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3
as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
sinks his pride and makes the first step towards a reconciliation
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4
as in vanishing
to cease to be visible
that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon
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5
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of
the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass
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6
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the revelation that he has been embezzling for years definitely sinks him in my opinion
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7
as in falling
to lead or extend downward
the road sinks abruptly after that curve
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8
as in weakening
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sinking
James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the sinking.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The sinking of the Titanic, which took place seventeen days after Scott’s death, gave her the idea for the one after that, Every Man for Himself (1996).
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In some simulations, the sinking began after 1 to 3 million years and reached the base of the shell after 5 to 10 million years.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Drummond compared the exodus of Bears fans in the fourth quarter to the sinking of the Titanic, which did not seem like hyperbole at the time.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Land subsidence is the sinking or collapsing of surface land due to the removal of things such as underground water, oil or gas.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Rescuers found the first victim, the 12-year-old Spanish girl, three days later, floating near the northern waters of Serai island, fewer than a mile from the site of the sinking.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
More than a century after its sinking, is there really more to be said about the Titanic?
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
The Panthers star caught fire at the tail end of the stanza, sinking eight points during the final two minutes as Whitman-Hanson broke things open at 40-24 entering the fourth.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
This Boll & Branch pillow, however, had enough structure to keep her head from sinking straight onto her mattress.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The city is sinking, parts of it are below high tide today.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Opposing teams continue to try to take away Minnesota’s back cuts by sinking defenders into the lane, primarily on Langston Reynolds.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Whether the game is a blowout or comes down to a fateful goal-line stand, loyalists of one team may leap for joy, while others might lash out in anger, pummeling their TV sets or sinking into a deep postgame funk.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Hisatsune sent roars through the stadium par-3 16th by sinking a 7-foot birdie putt and smiled sheepishly at his chip in on 17 after hitting his tee shot left into the pond.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
More than twice as many stocks rose within the S&P 500 than fell, but sinking technology stocks weighed on the index for a second straight day.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Noun
The video did not mention any specific orders, but the six were plainly referring to the sinking of Venezuelan ships in international waters topped off by the killing of survivors clinging to the wreckage of their vessel.
—James D. Zirin, Washington Post, 3 Feb. 2026
The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of the sinking.
—Michael Casey, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The sinking of the Titanic, which took place seventeen days after Scott’s death, gave her the idea for the one after that, Every Man for Himself (1996).
—Christopher Tayler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In some simulations, the sinking began after 1 to 3 million years and reached the base of the shell after 5 to 10 million years.
—Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Drummond compared the exodus of Bears fans in the fourth quarter to the sinking of the Titanic, which did not seem like hyperbole at the time.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 11 Jan. 2026
Land subsidence is the sinking or collapsing of surface land due to the removal of things such as underground water, oil or gas.
—Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 8 Jan. 2026
Rescuers found the first victim, the 12-year-old Spanish girl, three days later, floating near the northern waters of Serai island, fewer than a mile from the site of the sinking.
—CBS News, 4 Jan. 2026
More than a century after its sinking, is there really more to be said about the Titanic?
—Benjamin Cannon, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
Verb
And just as the questions are sinking into our souls, some mist starts to rise up from the floorboards of Tower 12 and turn itself into something like a human form, a specter, an apparition, a boy made real.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2026
The Panthers star caught fire at the tail end of the stanza, sinking eight points during the final two minutes as Whitman-Hanson broke things open at 40-24 entering the fourth.
—Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2026
This Boll & Branch pillow, however, had enough structure to keep her head from sinking straight onto her mattress.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2026
The city is sinking, parts of it are below high tide today.
—John Ramos, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
Opposing teams continue to try to take away Minnesota’s back cuts by sinking defenders into the lane, primarily on Langston Reynolds.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Whether the game is a blowout or comes down to a fateful goal-line stand, loyalists of one team may leap for joy, while others might lash out in anger, pummeling their TV sets or sinking into a deep postgame funk.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 6 Feb. 2026
Hisatsune sent roars through the stadium par-3 16th by sinking a 7-foot birdie putt and smiled sheepishly at his chip in on 17 after hitting his tee shot left into the pond.
—Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026
More than twice as many stocks rose within the S&P 500 than fell, but sinking technology stocks weighed on the index for a second straight day.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinking
Adjective
-
Livaura Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts cell turnover and collagen production, while fading wrinkles, fine lines, and reducing visible signs of aging like dullness, dark spots, and texture.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
-
Later classified AT2025ulz, the object displayed similar, fading red wavelengths as GW170817.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
17 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The process, known as lithospheric foundering, resembles a geological process on Earth in which portions of the planet's outermost layer sink into the mantle.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Any major foundering in New Mexico could have long-lasting consequences.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The shutdown is part of a response by the government to ongoing protests against rising inflation and the value of the nation's currency plummeting.—
Berly McCoy,
NPR,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Successive polls have shown his approval rating on immigration plummeting.—
Richard Hall,
Time,
26 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
-
Trump’s approval rating from Gallup peaked at 47% last February before plunging to just 37% in the December 2025 survey that the company now says will be its last.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
11 Feb. 2026
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As the beverage brand brought some Parisian glamour to London, the MaXXXine actress bared an elegant plunging black bra and matching underwear set in a see-through black Jean Paul Gaultier creation.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Seahawks defensive front was stifling, sacking Patriots second-year quarterback Drake Maye six times.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Feb. 2026
-
The Wolverines’ school-record nine-game winning streak in Big Ten games was snapped by a big and experienced team that plays stifling defense and is led by a 6-foot-7 preseason All-America center who does it all.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Take that, panic over vanishing attention spans!—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Federal aid is expected to plunge dramatically in the next few years, particularly involving Medicaid and nutrition assistance, and many Connecticut lawmakers want to supplant some of those vanishing grants from Washington with local dollars.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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That means air traffic controllers employed by the Federal Aviation Administration will receive paychecks as usual, reducing the risk of widespread flight cancellations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinking. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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