WANE Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'wane' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wane are abate , ebb , and subside . While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive. // waning enthusiasm

Q: When could 'abate' be used to replace 'wane'?

The words abate and wane can be used in similar contexts, but abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing. // the storm abated

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ebb' instead of 'wane'?

While in some cases nearly identical to wane , ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes. // the ebbing of daylight

Q: Where would 'subside' be a reasonable alternative to 'wane'?

The meanings of subside and wane largely overlap; however, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation. // the protests subsided after a few days

wane 1 of 2

verb

ˈwān

Definition of wane next

as in to subside

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually in the course of the evening the storm steadily waned

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

wane

2 of 2

noun

as in ebb

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word wane distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of wane are abate, ebb, and subside. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

When could abate be used to replace wane?

The words abate and wane can be used in similar contexts, but abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When is it sensible to use ebb instead of wane?

While in some cases nearly identical to wane, ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

Where would subside be a reasonable alternative to wane?

The meanings of subside and wane largely overlap; however, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of wane

Verb

But America’s focus on Kaepernick’s athletic success waned in 2016. —

Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, The Conversation, 5 Feb. 2025 Tellingly, public rejections of MAGA have also waned, with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Snoop Dogg tacitly supporting Trump’s reëlection. —

Brady Brickner-Wood, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2025

Noun

The wane in commercial vehicle oversight at DPS is not necessarily due to lack of money. —

Tony Plohetski, Austin American-Statesman, 18 Dec. 2024 Such observations could help researchers better understand how the sun’s activity waxes and wanes. —

Denise Chow, NBC News, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wane

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wane

Verb

By most measures, political violence subsided after January 2021, in part because hundreds of participants in the January 6 attack were convicted and imprisoned.

— STEVEN LEVITSKY, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2025
Ultimately, the north winds subsided and hundreds of firefighters and volunteers got the fire under control.

— Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2025