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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

The 25-year-old from California opened the final with some swagger, popping four aces in the first game, but his self-assurance quickly ebbed. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 In 1945, 84 percent of federal outlays were on defense, a tsunami of spending that would ebb once World War II concluded. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ebb

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ebb

Noun

But its deterioration is a profound a priori, one that can only be partially forestalled.

— Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
The moves come as economic indicators showed months of deterioration, following a disappointing second quarter.

— Anniek Bao, CNBC, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of deterioration

Noun

Huawei's push into the smartphone market comes as sales in China have slumped this year, with a double-digit decline year-on-year in August and September, according to Counterpoint Research.

— Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
The co-CEOs have modeled a cash ramp-up in coming years but meanwhile there’s not a big cushion if churn rises, cable-network declines accelerate, the box office softens again or there’s macroeconomic or geopolitical disruption.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

The neighborhood This is one of Bangkok’s oldest districts, where street kitchens still dish up 100-year-old family recipes and crumbling shophouses line the road.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Plague death exposes Putin's crumbling grip as war and economy spiral downward.

— , FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of crumble

Noun

To me, the two nude figures in languid declination seemed, saliently, to be melting in the heat of a summer day, but their triton-wielding and breast-cupping poses must certainly have also invited debate centuries before.

— Scott Laird, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026
The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.

— Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026

Definition of declination

Verb

Some experts point to worsening public health since the 2008 financial crisis, citing factors such as growing obesity, long hospital waiting times, the cost-of-living crisis and other social causes.

— The Week UK, TheWeek, 4 Oct. 2026
His latest promise — which, like the others, would require approval from Congress — would probably cost more than $1 trillion, adding to the ballooning deficit and worsening inflation.

— Melissa Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Definition of worsen

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Style

“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ebb. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of ebb

noun

verb

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