Wane: Meaning, Synonyms, Antonyms, and Examples

In our conversation, or reading news or books, the term “wane” often pops up, hinting at something fading or diminishing. But what exactly does it mean? Simply put, “wane” refers to a gradual decrease or decline. Here, explore the various contexts of ‘wane’ where this word finds its meaning, definition, and synonyms, offering a clear understanding of its versatile usage.

It includes:

• Meaning and definition of wane
• Synonyms of wane
• Antonyms of wane
• Grammatical forms of wane
• Examples
• Rhyming words of ‘wane’

Meaning and definition of wane

Definition: The term “wane” is a verb that denotes the gradual decrease or decline in something, such as size, intensity, importance, or power. It refers to the diminishing or weakening of a quality or entity over time.

The word “wane” can be used as both a verb and a noun, and it typically refers to a gradual decrease or decline in intensity, size, strength, importance, or power. Here are the primary meanings and definitions:

As a verb:

1. To decrease gradually in size, strength, intensity, or importance. For example:
   • “The moon begins to wane after reaching its full phase.”
   • “Her enthusiasm for the project waned as time went on.”
2. To approach an end or diminish in influence. For instance:
   • “The support for the policy began to wane as controversies arose.”
   • “Interest in the trend started to wane after a few months.”

As a noun:

1. The gradual decrease or diminishment in size, intensity, or importance. For instance:
   • “The wane of his popularity was evident in the declining attendance at his speeches.”
   • “The wane of the company’s profits signaled a need for restructuring.”

The term “wane” is often used in contexts related to phases of the moon, where it describes the gradual decrease in the visible area of the illuminated part of the moon as observed from the Earth. Additionally, it’s employed metaphorically to describe the gradual decline or diminishing of various things over time.

Synonyms of wane

Synonyms: Decline, diminish, decrease, fade, ebb, weaken, dwindle, subside, recede, flag, fall, vanish, slump, retreat, remission

Meaning of these words:

1. Decline: To decrease gradually; a downward movement or decrease in quality, quantity, or significance.
2. Diminish: To make or become smaller, reduce, or lessen in size, intensity, or importance.
3. Decrease: To become or make less in quantity, size, intensity, or value; a reduction in amount or size.
4. Fade: To gradually lose brightness, color, strength, or importance; to become less visible or distinct.
5. Ebb: To recede or decline, often in reference to the tide; figuratively, to diminish or lessen gradually.
6. Weaken: To make or become weaker, less strong, or less powerful; a decrease in strength or intensity.
7. Dwindle: To diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength; to shrink or decrease steadily.
8. Subside: To become less intense, severe, or active; to decrease in intensity, usually after reaching a peak.
9. Recede: To move back or away from a previous position or level; to diminish or lessen in size or importance.
10. Flag: To lose vigor, weaken, or decline in strength or enthusiasm; to become less active or prominent.
11. Fall: To move downward; also, to decrease in amount, number, or quality.
12. Vanish: To disappear or cease to exist; to become invisible or go out of sight.
13. Slump: To fall or decline suddenly and sharply; a sudden decrease or decline in value, performance, or quality.
14. Retreat: To move back or withdraw; also, a withdrawal or decline, often from a challenging situation.
15. Remission: A decrease or lessening of the severity of something, such as symptoms of a disease or a debt.

Antonyms of wane

Antonyms: Grow, increase, strengthen, rise, flourish, expand, improve, enhance, thrive, escalate, acceleration, quicken, hasten

Meaning of these words:

1. Grow: To increase in size, amount, or degree; to develop or expand.
2. Increase: To become greater in size, amount, degree, or value; to make something larger or more numerous.
3. Strengthen: To make or become stronger; to reinforce or improve in strength or effectiveness.
4. Rise: To move upward or ascend; also, an increase in amount, level, or position.
5. Flourish: To grow or develop healthily or vigorously; to thrive or prosper.
6. Expand: To become larger in size, scope, or volume; to make something more extensive.
7. Improve: To make or become better in quality, condition, or value; to enhance or refine.
8. Enhance: To improve or augment the quality, value, or attractiveness of something; to make it better or more valuable.
9. Thrive: To grow or develop vigorously; to flourish or succeed, especially under favorable conditions.
10. Escalate: To increase or intensify rapidly; to enlarge, extend, or make something more severe.
11. Acceleration: The act or process of speeding up; an increase in the rate or speed of something.
12. Quicken: To speed up, become faster, or make something happen more rapidly.
13. Hasten: To hurry or cause something to happen more quickly; to accelerate or expedite.

Grammatical forms of wane

The word “wane” has different forms that change based on when or how it’s used in a sentence. Here are the main forms:

1. Base Form (Infinitive): The basic form of the verb “wane” is just “wane.” For instance: “Enthusiasm tends to wane over time.” Here, “wane” shows the general action of decreasing or declining.

2. Present Participle: This form adds “ing” to the base form, creating “waning.” For example: “Interest in the topic is waning.” “Waning” indicates that the interest is currently decreasing or declining.

3. Past Tense: The past tense of “wane” is “waned.” For instance: “Her energy waned as the day went on.” “Waned” shows that the energy decreased in the past.

4. Past Participle: Also “waned.” For instance: “The excitement had waned.” This form is used when describing that the decline or decrease had already happened by a certain point in the past.

5. Gerund: The gerund form, which functions like a noun, is “waning.” For example: “The waning of interest was noticeable.” Here, “waning” acts as the subject of the sentence, referring to the decrease or decline itself.

These different forms allow the word “wane” to be used in various tenses (past, present, future) and situations, describing actions or states of decrease or decline at different times or in different ways.

How is the word ‘wane’ used in a sentence: Examples

Here are some examples illustrating the usage of wane:

1. Moon phases: “As the month progressed, the moon began to wane, showing less and less of its illuminated side.”

• In this example, “wane” refers to the diminishing visibility of the moon’s illuminated surface as observed from Earth.

2. Decreasing enthusiasm: “Her interest in painting started to wane after she completed her art course.”

• Here, “wane” suggests a gradual decline or decrease in interest or enthusiasm for painting over time.

3. Economic terms: “The company’s profits began to wane due to increased competition in the market.”

• In this sentence, “wane” indicates a gradual decline in the company’s profits over a period, likely due to competitive factors impacting its performance.

4. Political influence: “The politician’s popularity began to wane as scandals surfaced and public trust diminished.”

• This usage demonstrates a gradual decrease or decline in the politician’s popularity and influence due to negative events or controversies.

5. Physical strength: “After weeks of illness, his physical strength started to wane, and he needed more rest.”

• Here, “wane” is used to describe the gradual weakening or decline in someone’s physical strength or stamina.

6. Interest or trend: “The initial excitement for the new fashion trend began to wane as other styles gained popularity.”

• This sentence shows how interest or enthusiasm for a particular trend gradually diminishes as newer trends emerge.

More examples of sentences with ‘wane’

1. The moon was waning, and each day it rose later.
2. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.
3. Colonialism began to wane after World War II.
4. Summer is waning.
5. The fervor for the project started to wane as the deadlines drew closer and challenges mounted.
6. His authority began to wane when he failed to address the ongoing issues within the department.
7. During winter, the daylight hours wane, and darkness seems to dominate the day.
8. The musician’s popularity seemed to wane after the release of their latest album received mixed reviews.
9. The strength of the storm began to wane as it moved away from the coastline.
10. The fervor for the project started to wane as the deadlines drew closer and challenges mounted.
11. His authority began to wane when he failed to address the ongoing issues within the department.
12. During winter, the daylight hours wane, and darkness seems to dominate the day.
13. As the semester progressed, her motivation to study began to wane, leading to a decline in her grades.
14. The musician’s popularity seemed to wane after the release of their latest album received mixed reviews.
15. The strength of the storm began to wane as it moved away from the coastline.
16. Their friendship started to wane as they drifted apart due to their conflicting schedules and interests.
17. The excitement surrounding the event slowly began to wane as logistical problems surfaced.
18. Over time, the support for the policy proposal began to wane as its implications became more evident.
19. Despite initial enthusiasm, the company’s stock prices started to wane due to uncertainties in the market.
20. While his interest in these sports began to wane, a passion for rugby developed.

Rhyming words of ‘wane’

Rhyming words: bane, cane, chain, crane, dane, fane, grain, jane, maine, pane, rain, stain, train, lane

Examples:

1. As the stars wane, we embrace the serene, tranquil plain.
2. Her interest in the book began to wane, lost in thought as she walked down the lane.
3. As autumn colors begin to wane, children happily jump and play in the rain.
4. As the days wane, the autumn rain starts to pitter-patter on the windowpane.