1
: the reflux of the tide toward the sea
2
: a point or condition of decline
our spirits were at a low ebb
ebbed; ebbing; ebbs
1
: to recede from the flood
2
: to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state
his popularity ebbed
Synonyms
Examples of ebb in a Sentence
Noun
Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Verb
waiting for the tide to ebb
the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Recent Examples on the Web
James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
The corresponding app offers readouts, showing when users’ glucose levels spike and ebb throughout the day.
—Jessica Klein, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Michael Foster, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Despite this, violence by extremist groups, as reported by a different organization, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, has actually ebbed this year, likely because law enforcement has arrested dozens of members of these groups for their participation in the Capitol riot.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ebb 
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Noun
The morale of many of the workers already had been at a low ebb, given two rounds of layoffs — including the departure of 115 journalists early this year, more than 20% of the newsroom — following a period of growth and hiring since 2017.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024
The corresponding app offers readouts, showing when users’ glucose levels spike and ebb throughout the day.
—Jessica Klein, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024
Verb
In short, Americans have more money to spend on fun because 2022’s inflationary pressures have started to ebb.
—Michael Foster, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
Despite this, violence by extremist groups, as reported by a different organization, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, has actually ebbed this year, likely because law enforcement has arrested dozens of members of these groups for their participation in the Capitol riot.
—Michael Luo, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ebb
Dictionary Entries Near ebb
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ebb. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ebb
1 of 2 noun1
: the flow away from the shore of seawater brought in by the tide
2
: a passing from a high to a low point
our spirits were at a low ebb
also
: the time of such a passing
ebb
2 of 2 verb1
: to recede from the flood
2
: to fall from a higher level or better state : weaken
her strength ebbed
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