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

\/\/ waning<\/em> enthusiasm<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'abate' be used to replace 'wane'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words abate<\/em><\/a> and wane<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but abate<\/em> stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.<\/p>

\/\/ the storm abated<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'ebb' instead of 'wane'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to wane<\/em>, ebb<\/em><\/a> suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.<\/p>

\/\/ the ebbing<\/em> of daylight<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'subside' be a reasonable alternative to 'wane'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of subside<\/em><\/a> and wane<\/em> largely overlap; however, subside<\/em> implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.<\/p>

\/\/ the protests subsided<\/em> after a few days<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How is the word 'wane' distinct from other similar verbs?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

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

\/\/ waning<\/em> enthusiasm<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When could 'abate' be used to replace 'wane'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words abate<\/em><\/a> and wane<\/em> can be used in similar contexts, but abate<\/em> stresses the idea of progressive diminishing.<\/p>

\/\/ the storm abated<\/em><\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is it sensible to use 'ebb' instead of 'wane'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

While in some cases nearly identical to wane<\/em>, ebb<\/em><\/a> suggests the receding of something (such as the tide) that commonly comes and goes.<\/p>

\/\/ the ebbing<\/em> of daylight<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where would 'subside' be a reasonable alternative to 'wane'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The meanings of subside<\/em><\/a> and wane<\/em> largely overlap; however, subside<\/em> implies the ceasing of turbulence or agitation.<\/p>

\/\/ the protests subsided<\/em> after a few days<\/p>" } } ] }

wane 1 of 2

verb

ˈwān How to pronounce wane (audio)
Definition of wanenext
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

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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

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 wane
Verb
By late March, in the waning days of the legislative session, Assertive Community Treatment appeared on the committee’s agenda. —Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 24 Mar. 2026 Manufacturing has waned, hiring has slipped and costs continue to rise. —Shannon Pettypiece, NBC news, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
Following the wane of 1960s counterculture, the oppositional stance to advertising gave way gradually to more playful forms of engagement. —Michael Cowan, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026 Along with the moon’s monthly wax and wane, Idaho residents can expect to spot a six-planet parade, according to NASA. —Nathaniel Levine, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for wane
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wane
  1. subside
  2. ebb
  3. diminish
  4. decline
  5. decrease
  6. slump
  7. fall
  8. remission
Verb
  • My awe had barely subsided when, two minutes later, James got the ball, raced just past the free-throw line, and took flight.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • And that dispute has not subsided.
    — James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of subside
Noun
  • Along the way of most successful rebuilding efforts, or even just more traditional team-building efforts, however, successful teams tend to take a calculated risk or two on some high-pedigree players or high-potential skaters at a low ebb in their value.
    — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Some readers may be old enough to remember the 1976 Bicentennial, which occurred during one of the city’s lowest ebbs and lifted everyone’s spirits.
    — John Calvelli, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2026
Definition of ebb
Verb
  • How diminished will their opportunities for success be in the real world?
    — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Lightning is diminishing over shipping lanes as a result of the use of cleaner fuel.
    — Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of diminish
Noun
  • She was obligated to sing her big barnstormers on loop, which offered fans a cruel barometer by which to judge her decline.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Goldman Sachs said the recent pullback in gold prices was largely in line with historical patterns, citing higher interest rate expectations and market volatility as key drivers behind the decline.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of decline
Verb
  • Declining spring precipitation and rising temperatures have caused the Colorado’s flow to decrease by nearly 20 percent over the past quarter century.
    — Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • After the 15th Street bike lanes were constructed, bicycle injury crashes decreased by 91 percent, according to the District Department of Transportation.
    — Liam Scott, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Definition of decrease
Noun
  • Salim lets him, following paces behind, slump-shouldered.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Short sellers are easing off broad wagers against the software sector after a bruising winter slump, but positioning in several individual stocks suggests bearishness is still running rampant below the surface.
    — Yun Li, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of slump
Verb
  • By late Sunday night into Monday midday, a strong cold front clears the region, ending the storms and bringing gusty winds with falling temperatures through the day.
    — Andrew Kozak, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Outside of Wall Street, stock indexes fell sharply in Europe following their wipeouts on Thursday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • For Gene, Robin, and countless Californians walking the long road of remission, that connection can mean everything.
    — Rees Empey, Oc Register, 21 Mar. 2026
  • How long does this remission last?
    — Kerry Breen, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of remission

Browse Nearby Words

wanders (into)
wane
waned
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Cite this Entry

“Wane.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wane. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of wane for Spanish Speakers

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