Wane — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈwān/

Meaning & Definition of Wane

Wane (verb)

  1. to decrease in size, extent, or degree, dwindle
  2. to diminish in phase or intensity —used chiefly of the moon, other satellites, and inferior planets
  3. to become less brilliant or powerful, dim

Wane (noun)

  1. the act or process of waning
  2. a period or time of waning; specifically, the period from the full moon to the new moon
  3. a defect in lumber characterized by bark or a lack of wood at a corner or edge

Wane (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

    "in the course of the evening the storm steadily waned"

    similar: abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off
    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

Wane (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in retreat, ebb

    similar: ebb, remission, retreat, decline, drop, slump, flagging, weakening, braking, deceleration, downshift, letup, retardation, slowdown, arrest, check, halt, stoppage, collapse, crash, fall, plunge
    opposite: acceleration, hastening, quickening

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Wane

The most common words with a similar meaning to Wane:

abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle, ease, ebb, fall, fall away, lessen, let up, lower, moderate, pall, phase down, ratchet (down), recede, relent, remit, shrink, subside, taper, taper off, remission, retreat, drop, slump, flagging, weakening, braking, deceleration, downshift, letup, retardation, slowdown, arrest

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Wane

Words with the opposite meaning of Wane:

accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand, grow, increase, intensify, mount, mushroom, pick up, rise, snowball, soar, swell, wax, acceleration, hastening, quickening

Related Words for Wane

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), deflate

Near Antonyms of Wane

appear, emerge, show up, blow up, distend, elongate, lengthen

Word Forms of Wane

Inflections: waned, waning

Origin & Etymology of Wane

Middle English wanien, wanen, going back to Old English wanian, going back to Germanic *wanōjan- (whence Old High German wanōn "to lessen," Old Norse vana), weak verb derivative from *wano- "deficient, absent," whence Old English & Old High German wan "lacking, deficient," Old Norse vanr, Gothic wans; akin to Latin vānus "empty, vain," Greek eûnis "bereft (of), without," Sanskrit ūna- "deficient, defective"

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Wane

on the wane

Frequently Asked Questions about Wane

What does "Wane" mean?

"Wane" means to decrease in size, extent, or degree, dwindle. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to decrease in size, extent, or degree, dwindle. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Wane"?

Other words for "Wane" include abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away) and drop (off). The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Wane" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Wane"?

There are 67 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Wane". Common alternatives include abate, de-escalate, decline, decrease, die (away or down or out), diminish, drain (away), drop (off), dwindle and ease.

What is the opposite of "Wane"?

Antonyms of "Wane" include accumulate, balloon, build, burgeon, enlarge, escalate, expand and grow. Near antonyms include appear, emerge, show up and blow up.

How do you use "Wane" in a sentence?

Examples of "Wane" in a sentence: "in the course of the evening the storm steadily waned".

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

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

How do you pronounce "Wane"?

"Wane" is pronounced /ˈwān/.

What is the origin of the word "Wane"?

"Wane" comes from Middle English wanien, wanen, going back to Old English wanian, going back to Germanic *wanōjan- (whence Old High German wanōn "to lessen," Old Norse vana), weak verb derivative from *wano- "deficient, absent," whence Old English & Old High German wan "lacking, deficient," Old Norse vanr, Gothic wans; akin to Latin vānus "empty, vain," Greek eûnis "bereft (of), without," Sanskrit ūna- "deficient, defective". First known use: before 12th century.