Ebb — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈeb/

Meaning & Definition of Ebb

Ebb (noun)

  1. the reflux of the tide toward the sea
  2. a point or condition of decline

Ebb (verb)

  1. to recede from the flood
  2. to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state

Ebb (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a change to a lower state or level

    "a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country"

    similar: decadence, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, eclipse, fall
    related: 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
    opposite: ascent, rise, upswing
    near: advancement, development, evolution, growth, blossoming, flourishing, flowering, renewal, restoration, revitalization, heightening, accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increase, increment, raise, supplement

Ebb (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to become worse or of less value

    "the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed"

    similar: atrophy, crumble, decay, decline, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, devolve, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen, go to pot, go to seed
    related: 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
    opposite: ameliorate, improve, meliorate
    near: better, upgrade, enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, intensify, strengthen, advance, develop, march, proceed, progress

  2. to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

    "the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior"

    similar: 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), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, wane
    related: 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
    opposite: accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax
    near: appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Ebb

The most common words with a similar meaning to Ebb:

decadence, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, eclipse, fall, atrophy, crumble, decay, degenerate, descend, deteriorate, devolve, regress, retrograde, rot, sink, worsen, abate, de-escalate, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, fall away, lessen, let up, lower

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Ebb

Words with the opposite meaning of Ebb:

ascent, rise, upswing, ameliorate, improve, meliorate, accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, snowball, soar, swell, wax

Related Words for Ebb

dark age, nadir, sunset, rotting, spoiling, breakup, crumbling, decomposition, disintegration, dissolution, abasement, debasement, depreciation, lessening, decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, havoc, ruin, ruination, abatement, decrement, de-escalation, deflation, diminishment, diminution, dip, downslide

Near Antonyms of Ebb

advancement, development, evolution, growth, blossoming, flourishing, flowering, renewal, restoration, revitalization, heightening, accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increment, raise, supplement, better, upgrade, enhance, enrich, fortify, heighten, strengthen, advance

Word Forms of Ebb

Inflections: ebbed, ebbing, ebbs

Origin & Etymology of Ebb

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

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Ebb

ebb tide, ebb and flow

Frequently Asked Questions about Ebb

What does "Ebb" mean?

"Ebb" means the reflux of the tide toward the sea. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: the reflux of the tide toward the sea. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Ebb"?

Other words for "Ebb" include decadence, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation and dégringolade. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Ebb" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Ebb"?

There are 138 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Ebb". Common alternatives include decadence, declension, declination, decline, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent and deterioration.

What is the opposite of "Ebb"?

Antonyms of "Ebb" include ascent, rise, upswing, ameliorate, improve, meliorate, accumulate and balloon. Near antonyms include advancement, development, evolution and growth.

How do you use "Ebb" in a sentence?

Examples of "Ebb" in a sentence: "a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country"; "the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed"; "the howling winds ebbed as the hurricane moved into the interior".

Is "Ebb" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Ebb" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Ebb"?

"Ebb" is pronounced /ˈeb/.

What is the origin of the word "Ebb"?

"Ebb" comes from Middle English ebbe, from Old English ebba; akin to Middle Dutch ebbe ebb, Old English of from of. First known use: before 12th century.