ebb

noun

ˈeb

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

the reflux of the tide toward the sea
a point or condition of decline //our spirits were at a low ebb

verb

ebbed; ebbing; ebbs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb
to recede from the flood
to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state //his popularity ebbed

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall

Synonyms: Verb

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen

Antonyms: Noun

ascent rise upswing

Antonyms: Verb

ameliorate improve meliorate

Examples

Noun

//Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
//a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country

Verb

//waiting for the tide to ebb
//the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Noun

Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from — more at of

ebb

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to become worse or of less value //the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Synonyms

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen
Related Words

abate de-escalate diminish downsize dwindle recede wane
break down corrupt decompose degrade dilapidate disintegrate molder putrefy
sour spoil
lessen lower reduce
debilitate undermine
droop fail fall flag lag languish run down sag slip waste (away) weaken wilt
Synonymous Phrases

go to pot go to seed (or run to seed)
Near Antonyms

better upgrade
enhance enrich fortify heighten intensify strengthen
advance develop march proceed progress
Antonyms

ameliorate improve meliorate
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually //the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior
Synonyms

abate de-escalate decline decrease die (away or down or out) diminish drain (away) drop (off) dwindle ease fall fall away lessen let up lower moderate pall phase down ratchet (down) also rachet (down) recede relent remit shrink subside taper taper off wane
Related Words

compress condense constrict contract
evaporate fade (away) fritter (away) give out melt (away) peter (out) tail (off) vanish
slacken slow (down)
alleviate relax
flag sink weaken
cave (in) collapse deflate
Near Antonyms

appear emerge show up
blow up distend elongate lengthen
Antonyms

accumulate balloon build burgeon (also bourgeon) enlarge escalate expand grow increase intensify mount mushroom pick up rise snowball soar swell wax

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

a change to a lower state or level //a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Synonyms

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall
Related Words

dark age nadir sunset
decay rotting spoiling
breakup crumbling decomposition disintegration dissolution
abasement debasement
depreciation lessening
decimation demolishment demolition desolation destruction havoc ruin ruination
abatement decrease decrement de-escalation deflation diminishment diminution dip downslide downtrend downturn drop drop-off falloff loss lowering reduction sag shrinkage slip slump
Near Antonyms

advancement development evolution growth
blossoming flourishing flowering
renewal restoration revitalization
heightening
accretion accrual addendum addition augmentation boost enhancement gain increase increment raise supplement
Antonyms

ascent rise upswing

ebb

noun

ˈeb

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

the reflux of the tide toward the sea
a point or condition of decline //our spirits were at a low ebb

verb

ebbed; ebbing; ebbs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb
to recede from the flood
to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state //his popularity ebbed

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall

Synonyms: Verb

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen

Antonyms: Noun

ascent rise upswing

Antonyms: Verb

ameliorate improve meliorate

Examples

Noun

//Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
//a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country

Verb

//waiting for the tide to ebb
//the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Noun

Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from — more at of

ebb

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to become worse or of less value //the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Synonyms

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen
Related Words

abate de-escalate diminish downsize dwindle recede wane
break down corrupt decompose degrade dilapidate disintegrate molder putrefy
sour spoil
lessen lower reduce
debilitate undermine
droop fail fall flag lag languish run down sag slip waste (away) weaken wilt
Synonymous Phrases

go to pot go to seed (or run to seed)
Near Antonyms

better upgrade
enhance enrich fortify heighten intensify strengthen
advance develop march proceed progress
Antonyms

ameliorate improve meliorate
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually //the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior
Synonyms

abate de-escalate decline decrease die (away or down or out) diminish drain (away) drop (off) dwindle ease fall fall away lessen let up lower moderate pall phase down ratchet (down) also rachet (down) recede relent remit shrink subside taper taper off wane
Related Words

compress condense constrict contract
evaporate fade (away) fritter (away) give out melt (away) peter (out) tail (off) vanish
slacken slow (down)
alleviate relax
flag sink weaken
cave (in) collapse deflate
Near Antonyms

appear emerge show up
blow up distend elongate lengthen
Antonyms

accumulate balloon build burgeon (also bourgeon) enlarge escalate expand grow increase intensify mount mushroom pick up rise snowball soar swell wax

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

a change to a lower state or level //a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Synonyms

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall
Related Words

dark age nadir sunset
decay rotting spoiling
breakup crumbling decomposition disintegration dissolution
abasement debasement
depreciation lessening
decimation demolishment demolition desolation destruction havoc ruin ruination
abatement decrease decrement de-escalation deflation diminishment diminution dip downslide downtrend downturn drop drop-off falloff loss lowering reduction sag shrinkage slip slump
Near Antonyms

advancement development evolution growth
blossoming flourishing flowering
renewal restoration revitalization
heightening
accretion accrual addendum addition augmentation boost enhancement gain increase increment raise supplement
Antonyms

ascent rise upswing

ebb

noun

ˈeb

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

the reflux of the tide toward the sea
a point or condition of decline //our spirits were at a low ebb

verb

ebbed; ebbing; ebbs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb
to recede from the flood
to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state //his popularity ebbed

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall

Synonyms: Verb

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen

Antonyms: Noun

ascent rise upswing

Antonyms: Verb

ameliorate improve meliorate

Examples

Noun

//Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
//a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country

Verb

//waiting for the tide to ebb
//the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Noun

Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from — more at of

ebb

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to become worse or of less value //the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Synonyms

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen
Related Words

abate de-escalate diminish downsize dwindle recede wane
break down corrupt decompose degrade dilapidate disintegrate molder putrefy
sour spoil
lessen lower reduce
debilitate undermine
droop fail fall flag lag languish run down sag slip waste (away) weaken wilt
Synonymous Phrases

go to pot go to seed (or run to seed)
Near Antonyms

better upgrade
enhance enrich fortify heighten intensify strengthen
advance develop march proceed progress
Antonyms

ameliorate improve meliorate
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually //the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior
Synonyms

abate de-escalate decline decrease die (away or down or out) diminish drain (away) drop (off) dwindle ease fall fall away lessen let up lower moderate pall phase down ratchet (down) also rachet (down) recede relent remit shrink subside taper taper off wane
Related Words

compress condense constrict contract
evaporate fade (away) fritter (away) give out melt (away) peter (out) tail (off) vanish
slacken slow (down)
alleviate relax
flag sink weaken
cave (in) collapse deflate
Near Antonyms

appear emerge show up
blow up distend elongate lengthen
Antonyms

accumulate balloon build burgeon (also bourgeon) enlarge escalate expand grow increase intensify mount mushroom pick up rise snowball soar swell wax

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

a change to a lower state or level //a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Synonyms

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall
Related Words

dark age nadir sunset
decay rotting spoiling
breakup crumbling decomposition disintegration dissolution
abasement debasement
depreciation lessening
decimation demolishment demolition desolation destruction havoc ruin ruination
abatement decrease decrement de-escalation deflation diminishment diminution dip downslide downtrend downturn drop drop-off falloff loss lowering reduction sag shrinkage slip slump
Near Antonyms

advancement development evolution growth
blossoming flourishing flowering
renewal restoration revitalization
heightening
accretion accrual addendum addition augmentation boost enhancement gain increase increment raise supplement
Antonyms

ascent rise upswing

ebb

noun

ˈeb

Definition (Entry 1 of 2)

the reflux of the tide toward the sea
a point or condition of decline //our spirits were at a low ebb

verb

ebbed; ebbing; ebbs

Definition (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb
to recede from the flood
to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state //his popularity ebbed

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms: Noun

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall

Synonyms: Verb

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen

Antonyms: Noun

ascent rise upswing

Antonyms: Verb

ameliorate improve meliorate

Examples

Noun

//Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
//a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country

Verb

//waiting for the tide to ebb
//the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed

First Known Use

Noun

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology

Noun

Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from — more at of

ebb

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 1 of 2)

to become worse or of less value //the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Synonyms

atrophy crumble decay decline degenerate descend deteriorate devolve regress retrograde rot sink worsen
Related Words

abate de-escalate diminish downsize dwindle recede wane
break down corrupt decompose degrade dilapidate disintegrate molder putrefy
sour spoil
lessen lower reduce
debilitate undermine
droop fail fall flag lag languish run down sag slip waste (away) weaken wilt
Synonymous Phrases

go to pot go to seed (or run to seed)
Near Antonyms

better upgrade
enhance enrich fortify heighten intensify strengthen
advance develop march proceed progress
Antonyms

ameliorate improve meliorate
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually //the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior
Synonyms

abate de-escalate decline decrease die (away or down or out) diminish drain (away) drop (off) dwindle ease fall fall away lessen let up lower moderate pall phase down ratchet (down) also rachet (down) recede relent remit shrink subside taper taper off wane
Related Words

compress condense constrict contract
evaporate fade (away) fritter (away) give out melt (away) peter (out) tail (off) vanish
slacken slow (down)
alleviate relax
flag sink weaken
cave (in) collapse deflate
Near Antonyms

appear emerge show up
blow up distend elongate lengthen
Antonyms

accumulate balloon build burgeon (also bourgeon) enlarge escalate expand grow increase intensify mount mushroom pick up rise snowball soar swell wax

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms (Entry 2 of 2)

a change to a lower state or level //a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Synonyms

decadence declension declination decline degeneracy degeneration degradation dégringolade descent deterioration devolution downfall downgrade eclipse fall
Related Words

dark age nadir sunset
decay rotting spoiling
breakup crumbling decomposition disintegration dissolution
abasement debasement
depreciation lessening
decimation demolishment demolition desolation destruction havoc ruin ruination
abatement decrease decrement de-escalation deflation diminishment diminution dip downslide downtrend downturn drop drop-off falloff loss lowering reduction sag shrinkage slip slump
Near Antonyms

advancement development evolution growth
blossoming flourishing flowering
renewal restoration revitalization
heightening
accretion accrual addendum addition augmentation boost enhancement gain increase increment raise supplement
Antonyms

ascent rise upswing