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
Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
This comes as the stock has had a rough past year, plunging more than 32% over the past 12 months.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
People swear by the health benefits of cold-water immersion—polar plunges, cold showers, and ice baths—but a new study found that the science is inconclusive.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for plunge 
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.
Verb
Threat level: The Arctic air is likely to send temperatures plunging to 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit below average for mid-February across the Upper Midwest and Plains states, with the cold barreling south and east through the end of the week.
—Andrew Freedman, Axios, 15 Feb. 2025
This comes as the stock has had a rough past year, plunging more than 32% over the past 12 months.
—Sean Conlon, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2025
Noun
That was a stunning 70% plunge from the hotel’s prior value.
—George Avalos, The Mercury News, 13 Feb. 2025
People swear by the health benefits of cold-water immersion—polar plunges, cold showers, and ice baths—but a new study found that the science is inconclusive.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 8 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for plunge
Dictionary Entries Near plunge
Cite this Entry
“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunge. Accessed 20 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share