as in fading
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1
1
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value
his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
I had just bought a bundle of shares of the stock when its price sank like a rock
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3
as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering
sinks his pride and makes the first step towards a reconciliation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in vanishing
to cease to be visible
that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon
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5
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of
the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass
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6
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes
the revelation that he has been embezzling for years definitely sinks him in my opinion
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7
as in falling
to lead or extend downward
the road sinks abruptly after that curve
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in weakening
to lose bodily strength or vigor
the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sinking
ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
The Coast Guard and Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the sinking of the Yankee Rose.
—CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
The sinking comes amid rising tensions in the region as air strikes and military actions continue between Iran, Israel, and allied forces.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Some observers Thursday were pointing to parallels between the sinking of the Dena and Britain’s destruction of the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano during the Falklands War in 1982.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Indian opposition leaders, however, on Thursday questioned the government’s lack of response to the incident, saying the sinking of the warship so close to India’s maritime neighborhood warranted an official statement.
—Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
There’s the Iroquois Theatre fire and the sinking of the Eastland.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic.
—Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Trump carried by large margins, signs point to a tough national political climate for the GOP amid the president's sinking approval rating.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
That included Los Angeles sinking 11 of 22 attempts in the first half, including a 7-for-12 stretch to help fuel a 43-point second quarter.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
That included the Clippers sinking 11 of 22 attempts in the first half, including a seven-for-12 stretch to help fuel a 43-point second quarter.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Each hill and cave in Cambodia’s rocky karst landscape –– a term for a landscape created when rocks break down, forming large cave springs, sinking streams and sinkholes –– is isolated from the others.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The Zodiac crew was able to reach the sinking vehicle, break out the rear window and pull out the driver.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
When Laettner made his shot in Philadelphia, sinking a turnaround shot after collecting a long baseball throw from Grant Hill, the opponent was Kentucky.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The Pilgrim was used for decades by the Ocean Institute to teach local school children about maritime history before sinking while in her harbor berth in 2020.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
This isn't a part -- this isn't just about a ship sinking.
—ABC News, 22 Mar. 2026
The Coast Guard and Massachusetts Environmental Police are investigating the sinking of the Yankee Rose.
—CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026
The sinking comes amid rising tensions in the region as air strikes and military actions continue between Iran, Israel, and allied forces.
—Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026
Some observers Thursday were pointing to parallels between the sinking of the Dena and Britain’s destruction of the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano during the Falklands War in 1982.
—Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
The first sinking of an enemy ship by a torpedo since World War II.
—Rachel Wolf, FOXNews.com, 5 Mar. 2026
Indian opposition leaders, however, on Thursday questioned the government’s lack of response to the incident, saying the sinking of the warship so close to India’s maritime neighborhood warranted an official statement.
—Sheikh Saaliq, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
There’s the Iroquois Theatre fire and the sinking of the Eastland.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Mar. 2026
Together, Kevin and the Bandits meet Napoleon Bonaparte and Robin Hood, and visit ancient Greece and the sinking of the Titanic.
—Danny Horn, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026
Verb
OpenAI sinking Sora will not make these discussions easier.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2026
Trump carried by large margins, signs point to a tough national political climate for the GOP amid the president's sinking approval rating.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
That included Los Angeles sinking 11 of 22 attempts in the first half, including a 7-for-12 stretch to help fuel a 43-point second quarter.
—CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
That included the Clippers sinking 11 of 22 attempts in the first half, including a seven-for-12 stretch to help fuel a 43-point second quarter.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Each hill and cave in Cambodia’s rocky karst landscape –– a term for a landscape created when rocks break down, forming large cave springs, sinking streams and sinkholes –– is isolated from the others.
—Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 23 Mar. 2026
The Zodiac crew was able to reach the sinking vehicle, break out the rear window and pull out the driver.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
When Laettner made his shot in Philadelphia, sinking a turnaround shot after collecting a long baseball throw from Grant Hill, the opponent was Kentucky.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
The Pilgrim was used for decades by the Ocean Institute to teach local school children about maritime history before sinking while in her harbor berth in 2020.
—Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinking
Adjective
-
Thus, the wrecking ball came for the Purple Passion Pit and the rest of the complex, a monument to a fading but wonderfully hospitable era of Chicago entertainment and local entrepreneurship.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Livaura Retinol Anti-Aging Hand Cream Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that boosts cell turnover and collagen production, while fading wrinkles, fine lines, and reducing visible signs of aging like dullness, dark spots, and texture.—
Reece Andavolgyi,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The process, known as lithospheric foundering, resembles a geological process on Earth in which portions of the planet's outermost layer sink into the mantle.—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Any major foundering in New Mexico could have long-lasting consequences.—
Elliot Haspel,
The Atlantic,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Chesapeake employs 344 before a collapse in natural gas prices sends its stock value plummeting.—
Steve Lackmeyer,
Oklahoman,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The shutdown is part of a response by the government to ongoing protests against rising inflation and the value of the nation's currency plummeting.—
Berly McCoy,
NPR,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Now the war has turned into a race to stabilize the rapidly deteriorating global economic order, central to which is reopening the Strait of Hormuz.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Her mother, Maria Alejandra, had told me in long, vivid emails about some of more serious concerns about her and her daughter’s deteriorating mental and physical health during their prolonged detention.—
Mica Rosenberg,
ProPublica,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The peace talks -- which Iranian officials denied -- sent the price of oil plunging on Monday on hopes that negotiations could reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end a weeks-long global energy shock.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
-
Meanwhile, oil prices are plunging.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Pushing the pace on offense and stifling the Sharks with defense, Arizona went up by double digits in the opening minutes and led the Sharks by 27 in the first half while delighting the thousands of fans who filled Viejas Arena with red.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Oettinger, who was Team USA’s backup goalie in their run to the gold medal last month, ranged from steady to spectacular in stifling the Wild.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The closure of Forever Young hits as vanishing federal aid and runaway Medicaid costs threaten an ambitious new initiative to expand affordable child care.—
Laura Tillman,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The governor’s national ambitions are vanishing into smoke amid the failure of his redistricting efforts, mounting scandals among state agencies and an ever-climbing fiscal crisis for the state of Maryland.—
Torrey Snow,
Baltimore Sun,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Understanding the gravity of a red flag warning and adhering to these precautions is pivotal in reducing the risk of wildfires during these hazardous conditions.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2026
-
Congress has been reducing these benefits, and there is no doubt that benefits will be reduced in the future with possible increases in taxes.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinking. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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