as in deterioration
a change to a lower state or level
a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in to deteriorate
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 to decrease
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
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Recent Examples of ebb
Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2025
Some progressive Democrats haven’t experienced an ebb in the consistent anger toward Musk and Trump at town halls in their district.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025
Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2025
Successive starts by Randy Vásquez (five innings, one hit, one run) on Wednesday, Nick Pivetta (seven innings, three hits, zero runs) on Friday and Hart have served to ebb some concern about a rotation that had an 11.21 ERA and 2.55 WHIP and worked just 17⅔ innings in its previous five-start turn.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Noun
Those relations were at a low ebb under Francis’s predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI.
—Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2025
Some progressive Democrats haven’t experienced an ebb in the consistent anger toward Musk and Trump at town halls in their district.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, foreign tourism to the U.S. seems to be ebbing; March flights dropped 10% from the same time last year, per the Department of Commerce.
—Ben Kesslen, Quartz, 28 Apr. 2025
Successive starts by Randy Vásquez (five innings, one hit, one run) on Wednesday, Nick Pivetta (seven innings, three hits, zero runs) on Friday and Hart have served to ebb some concern about a rotation that had an 11.21 ERA and 2.55 WHIP and worked just 17⅔ innings in its previous five-start turn.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
-
Sulzberger writes passionately about the existential threats facing a free press, from economic collapse to political intimidation, and how journalism must stand as a bulwark in a time of profound civic deterioration.—
Jessica Sibley,
Time,
19 May 2025
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Dan Wang Eurasia The 90-day tariff reduction and break does not guarantee a deal, especially given the deterioration of mutual trust between the U.S. and China, said Natixis’ senior economist Gary Ng.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
13 May 2025
Verb
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Their mental health deteriorated, which reinforced the officer’s excuse to keep them deadlocked.—
Justyna Rzewinski,
New York Daily News,
21 May 2025
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While more durable than the original Irish linen that encased the wings when the KC Eaglet rolled out of the factory on Aug. 12, 1930, all fabrics will deteriorate over time from exposure to the sun.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Iron Ore production decreased by 4.5% to 67.7 million metric tons due to heavy rainfall in Brazil.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2025
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Although the unsheltered population in the city of L.A. decreased last year from 32,680 to 29,275, and is projected to decline again this year, residents and business owners continue to express frustration with the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
20 May 2025
Noun
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But there are also other factors contributing to the job decline, such as price compression caused by oversupply, which has forced many operators to cut costs, including labor expenses.—
Dario Sabaghi,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
-
That's when crossings at the border first began their sharp decline, a trend that accelerated after Trump took office.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
26 May 2025
Verb
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There are also mental health impacts with worsening anxiety, stress, and depression in the hotter summer months.—
Jamie Hailstone,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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Relations have only worsened in recent years, as Beijing has leveraged its budding economic and military power to ramp up pressure on its neighbor.—
ELY RATNER,
Foreign Affairs,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Luckily, the experience trumped inhaling the intense stench, which eventually subsided.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
16 May 2025
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This new poll, and others, suggest voters' concerns over the economy may be subsiding.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
Noun
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Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Old systems are crumbling under the pressure of new conditions.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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For the characters who remain, there’s a sense that the world’s well of meaning has run dry; the old institutions have crumbled, and no one is coming to save us.—
Katy Waldman,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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