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
Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Even some of the staunchest Cold War hawks were arguing then that nuclear weapons were obsolete in a world where superpower competition was at a low ebb and leaders were more concerned about terrorists getting their hands on a loose nuke than a state deliberately using one.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025
Alexander Coolidge, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
One summer, Herr started developing an adjustable socket for his prostheses, which tended to loosen as swelling in his legs ebbed in the course of a day.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Noun
Van Bronckhorst, who had taken over two months earlier, did not hold as much power over recruitment as Steven Gerrard did after arriving in 2018 with the club at a low ebb.
—Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Even some of the staunchest Cold War hawks were arguing then that nuclear weapons were obsolete in a world where superpower competition was at a low ebb and leaders were more concerned about terrorists getting their hands on a loose nuke than a state deliberately using one.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
The rate of the increase in food prices has ebbed significantly but only notched a pre-COVID-19 level in August.
—Alexander Coolidge, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024
One summer, Herr started developing an adjustable socket for his prostheses, which tended to loosen as swelling in his legs ebbed in the course of a day.
—Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb
Noun
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This industry is the major culprit in the bay’s deterioration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
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In the fourth quarter, revenues were up 2 percent at constant exchange rates, returning to growth after several quarters of deterioration, mainly thanks to the improvement recorded by the wholesale channel.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Read: The chaos in higher ed is only getting started The situation could deteriorate if current doctoral students start jumping ship.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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Nearby, at the corner of Jefferson and Washington streets, a deteriorating, 1920s apartment building is slated to be incorporated into an $80 million medical office building.—
Kenneth R. Gosselin,
Hartford Courant,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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New York Open Data showed that certain types of delays, such as those related to braking issues, rail and roadbed problems and service delivery, decreased on the A line from September to December.—
Nic F. Anderson,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Associated Press pointed to the possibility of tariffs and a decline in consumer spending as the reasons for the earlier drop.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
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It’s commonly accepted HR doctrine that after a large layoff, those who stay suffer a 20% decline in their job performance.—
Phil Blair,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Elsewhere in the Keys, worsening water quality has been identified as one of the factors responsible for a decline in bonefish and tarpon, and the devastation of Florida's coral reefs.—
Greg Allen,
NPR,
5 Mar. 2025
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In the next episode, which followed the premiere, the feud continued to worsen.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
5 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Crime has since subsided, though its memory hasn’t.—
Aatish Bhatia,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2025
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The uproar surrounding the election has not subsided since that time, despite Ganim later winning two court-ordered re-do elections in 2024.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
Verb
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Today, despite its crumbling condition, the concrete trough still attracts young Bosnian athletes chasing Olympic dreams.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 Mar. 2025
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But the vaccine's power to beat back measles outbreaks starts to crumble when vaccination rates drop low enough.—
Alyson Hurt,
NPR,
28 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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