EBB Synonyms: 205 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of ebb are abate , subside , and wane . While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes. // the ebbing of daylight

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

While the synonyms abate and ebb are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing. // the storm abated

Q: When can 'subside' be used instead of 'ebb'?

In some situations, the words subside and ebb are roughly equivalent. However, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation. // the protests subsided after a few days

Q: When might 'wane' be a better fit than 'ebb'?

The words wane and ebb can be used in similar contexts, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive. // waning enthusiasm

ebb 1 of 2

noun

ˈeb

Definition of ebb

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ebb

2 of 2

verb

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

as in to decrease

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word ebb distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of ebb are abate, subside, and wane. While all these words mean "to die down in force or intensity," ebb suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.

the ebbing of daylight

When could abate be used to replace ebb?

While the synonyms abate and ebb are close in meaning, abate stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.

the storm abated

When can subside be used instead of ebb?

In some situations, the words subside and ebb are roughly equivalent. However, subside implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.

the protests subsided after a few days

When might wane be a better fit than ebb?

The words wane and ebb can be used in similar contexts, but wane suggests the fading or weakening of something good or impressive.

waning enthusiasm

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of ebb

Noun

Anyone watching the crisis of American democracy right now has to face that the greatness of a society and the ebb of greatness can be attributed to moral defects in that society. — David Frum, The Atlantic, 29 July 2026 Dondi watched her group of matchmakers ebb, with some volunteers going back to their lives. — Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 6 July 2026

Verb

Daniel de Visé Consumer sentiment ebbed in July, continuing a generally downward slide that began in 2021, according to the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index. — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 July 2026 On SpaceX’s first day of trading, Wood’s Ark invested about half a billion in SpaceX, and has purchased more as the price has ebbed since its opening day. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for ebb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb

Noun

The City is aware of deterioration to the pavers surrounding the memorial related to the seawall conditions in this section of the Riverwalk.

— Bri Buckley, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
The deterioration in DeepMind’s talent flows coincided with the lab tightening its publication rules, Hurd said, something that Zeki researchers say may have weakened one of the lab’s most important draws for research-minded staff.

— Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Verb

Behrouz Mehri | Afp | Getty Images France's deteriorating public finances and political deadlock are becoming a growing concern for bond investors, with borrowing costs near financial-crisis-era highs as another difficult budget battle looms.

— Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Israel has seen its own relations with Turkey deteriorate during Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s more than two-decade rule.

— Sam Mednick, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

Travel data shows the average group size for trips has decreased since COVID-19 began.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
To continue decreasing the vacancy rate, Center City Partners has focused on older buildings that aren’t as appealing to a return-to-office workforce That focus is on renovations or conversions.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Noun

Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Later, Hammer filmed her body’s visible decline from a long battle with cancer, concluding with her death in 2019 at age 79.

— Rachel Handler, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Though impending rainstorms are likely to make rescue operations more difficult, officials say a previous threat from a lake that had formed on the border between Nepal and Tibet has substantially subsided.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Opinion polls gave the king firm backing to stay on for life, however, and the criticism subsided.

— Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of subside

Noun

The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.

— Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026
Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.

— Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026

Definition of declination

Verb

Conflict between the government and rebel groups in the eastern region, attacks on health workers and an intense population movement also have worsened the outbreak.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Venezuela’s oil output began to stagnate, a situation which worsened further after the coup attempt of April 2002.

— Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of worsen

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“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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verb

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