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Definitions

ebb

[eb] / ɛb /
NOUN
regression; decline
Synonyms
STRONG
abatement backflow decay decrease degeneration depreciation deterioration diminution drop dwindling flagging lessening recession reflux retreat shrinkage sinking slackening subsidence sweep wane waning weakening withdrawal
WEAK
fading away going out low tide low water outward flow petering out refluence retrocession retroflux
Antonyms
STRONG
advance development enlargement expansion growth improvement increase
WEAK
flow incline rise
VERB
subside; decline
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate degenerate deteriorate die down die out diminish dwindle ease off fall away fall back lessen melt peter out recede shrink slacken wane weaken
STRONG
decay decrease drop fall flag languish moderate relent retire retreat sink withdraw
WEAK
fade away flow back go out let up retrocede
Antonyms
STRONGEST
develop enlarge expand extend forge forward grow improve increase prolong raise rise strengthen
STRONG
advance ascend build flourish
WEAK
flow

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“There is a lot of ebb and flow in the garden,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

Deflation is starting to ebb, he points out.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Wars ebb and flow, and right now Ukraine's facing a harsh tide.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

There are signs this is more than the normal ebb and flow of executive reshuffling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

It would be possible to take two hundred or more working the flood alone, Kabuo hoped, and perhaps a hundred more on the ebb if he was lucky—and luck, he knew, was what he needed.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson

Vocabulary lists containing ebb

The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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List 5

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