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
Sonia Heng,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
At the glitzy 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles last night, the reality TV star stepped out sporting a plunging, form-fitting white Gucci gown and the Attallah cross pendant that was famously worn by the late royal, CNN reported.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Courtenay Brown, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
There’s a cold plunge pool too, alongside a bar where guests can order craft beer and edamame.
—Oliver Horovitz, Contributor, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
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
Asia revenue, ex-Japan, plunged by 16% year-on-year in the third quarter.
—Sonia Heng,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
At the glitzy 2024 LACMA Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles last night, the reality TV star stepped out sporting a plunging, form-fitting white Gucci gown and the Attallah cross pendant that was famously worn by the late royal, CNN reported.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
The only time that figure topped 50% was in April 2020, as the stock market recovered from its pandemic plunge.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
There’s a cold plunge pool too, alongside a bar where guests can order craft beer and edamame.
—Oliver Horovitz, Contributor, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2024
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 22 Nov. 2024.
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