WANE Synonyms: 97 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

wane 1 of 2

verb

ˈwān

Definition of wane next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of wane

Verb

The confusion stems from a law Gov. Gavin Newsom reluctantly signed in late September, after the bill was hastily jammed through the Legislature in the waning days of the session following secret negotiations between lobbyists. —

Calmatters, Orange County Register, 19 Dec. 2024 Scott Peterson/Getty Images/The Christian Science Monitor Downturn Iran’s fortunes in Syria began to wane last April, when Israel struck a building adjacent to the Iranian Embassy, killing many of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s senior commanders in Syria. —

Scott Peterson, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024

Noun

That means Ukraine must begin planning for how best to capitalize on Russia’s impending wane. —

Mick Ryan, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2024 The wax and wane of terrorism warnings over the years has generally corresponded with the level of actual risk. —

Graham Allison, Foreign Affairs, 10 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for wane

Recent Examples of Synonyms for wane

Verb

Monthly inflation subsided in November after showing little improvement in recent months.

Lucia Mutikani, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
With the help of psychologists, the symptoms, luckily, subsided.

Katya Soldak, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024