plunge 1 of 2

verb

ˈplənj How to pronounce plunge (audio)
Definition of plungenext
1
as in to dive
to cast oneself head first into deep water she took a deep breath and plunged from the side of the pool

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2
as in to dip
to go to a lower level especially abruptly prices for those televisions have really plunged since they were first introduced

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3
as in to fall
to lead or extend downward a stairway plunging into darkness

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

plunge

2 of 2

noun

1
as in dive
an act or instance of diving the Olympic diver took a well-executed plunge off the diving board

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in drop
the act or process of going to a lower level or altitude an overnight plunge in temperature sent the thermometer to below the freezing mark

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 plunge
Verb
Pilots have compared landing on the short runway, with either side plunging straight down off the side of a vertical cliff, to landing on an aircraft carrier. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026 This Victoria Falls masterpiece is, as its name suggests, modeled on the rich colors of one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, which sits on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe where the Zambezi River plunges over a basalt cliff. — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2026
Noun
There’s also a wellness area with a fitness center, sauna, cold plunge and hot tub. — Stephanie Rosenbloom, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026 Passengers and other pilots aboard helped restrain the co-pilot and land the Boeing 737 in Saudi Arabia after a perilous plunge that tore away its rudder. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plunge
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plunge
  1. dive
  2. dip
  3. fall
  4. drop
  5. tumble
  6. descend
  7. descent
  8. decline
Verb
  • Waking up and stepping from your bed to dive into the sea from your private deck is sublime.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • The Season 26 premiere of the flagship series is set to dive into the world of AI autonomy.
    — Emily Longeretta, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of dive
Verb
  • On a senior-laden team with high expectations last season, there was no time for a sophomore like him to dip his feet into the pool to test the water at the varsity level.
    — Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The Orlane, an A-line midi that also comes in black, is lined and made from 100% wool—wear it with knee-high boots to keep warm as the temperatures dip.
    — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of dip
Verb
  • On the price front, China's residential prices have already fallen by 22% since a 2021 peak, compared with a 67% drop in Japan's after a far greater run-up in prices, the S&P report said.
    — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Insider buying fell 18% to 1,290 buyers, down from 1,580 in the second quarter.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of fall
Noun
  • On Friday, Tesla reported better-than-expected third-quarter vehicle deliveries, lifting the stock almost 5%, but the company still posted a 2% year-over-year drop.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The practical argument for wind-and-rain protection applies equally to spring transitional weather, and the trickle-down to Zara and Uniqlo means the shape will stay in stores well past this fall’s drop cycle.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop
Verb
  • The main structures at the front (the spa, gym, studio, and reception) are made of natural stone with bougainvillea tumbling down their sides, set between shallow pools of water, echoing the floating effect of the resort above the mangroves.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Labor market shifts The US trucking industry is shaking off a nearly four-year downturn, a post-pandemic correction marked by tumbling freight rates, carrier bankruptcies, and a high-cost/tepid-volume operating environment.
    — Natasha Chen, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of tumble
Verb
  • As the town and its residents descend into chaos after a massive iceberg emerges from the water, Calvin realizes it might all be connected to his father’s accident.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The statement said the weapon separated from its booster rocket at the planned altitude, then descended and maneuvered both vertically and horizontally before hitting a test target.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descend
Noun
  • But unlike other Floridians of Cuban descent — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio — Valdes ended up defending Cuba’s socialist revolutionaries and officials who have killed, jailed, tortured, and censored numerous political enemies.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • This allows operators to monitor the aircraft and atmospheric conditions during ascent and descent.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of descent
Verb
  • When Albin returned to the question of which country posed the greater threat to American interests, el Sayed again declined to choose between them, arguing that both had demonstrated the capacity to cause harm.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Courtesy of Heineken, 2026 Caton declined to say how many European jobs will go, citing ongoing consultation with staff and the European Works Council.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

plunders
plunge
plunged
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Cite this Entry

“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plunge. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plunge

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plunge

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