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⬇️ To fall fast ⬇️ A sudden drop 💦 To jump in 🏊 A quick swim
to plunge

to plunge

83 3.8
To fall or drop suddenly from a higher to a lower place
  • verb
  • /plʌndʒ/
translation icon : desplomarse
  • The sun lights up spectacular sheer cliffs that plunge 1,000 feet from a ruggedly beautiful high-desert plateau.
  • the economy plunged
  • prices plunge
  • a meteorite plunged

He stumbles, feet mismanaged by the brain, and plunges forward, catches himself.

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Examples

  • Farmers lost their property rights essentially and Zimbabwe has been plunged into famine.

  • Alfred shouted, and the ship plunged over the edge of a gigantic lava cascade.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • If they continue ahead, the car will plunge several feet into the water!

    Fiction book (1990)

  • The world's industrial nations were suddenly plunged into an unexpected energy and economic crisis.

    Academic text (1991)

  • Just over halfway down, I missed a step and plunged forward in the darkness.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • The bow of the boat would have plunged into the rapid, and we would likely have sunk.

    Ocean to Sky (2019)

  • At the very end of the trip, my raft plunges some 12 feet down a cascade.

    Academic text (2001)

  • As a result, as prices fell in the mid-1980s, these countries were plunged into deep austerity crises.

    Academic text (1999)

  • West of the town, the flat, sage-dotted landscape plunges into an 800-foot-deep abyss.

    Academic text (2008)

  • The skier lost control and plunged down the hill, gaining speed with each moment.

Synonyms

to fall
vsto plunge
∞ 1.0

Move or drop down from a higher to a lower place

is a sudden steep drop specifically from a higher to lower position
to sink
vsto plunge
358 1.0

To move down physically or emotionally, often when tired

is a sudden steep physical fall rather than gradual or emotional descent
to fall down
vsto plunge
250 1.0

Suddenly move from a standing position to the ground or a lower level

is a sudden steep fall but not limited to losing upright balance
to descend
vsto plunge
150 2.7

Move from a higher to a lower place

is a sudden and steep descent rather than a general downward movement
to plummet
vsto plunge
93 5.8

Fall suddenly and steeply from a high place or in amount

is nearly identical and describes a sudden steep fall from higher to lower position
to fall off
vsto plunge
85 1.4

Lose your balance and drop down from something like a ladder

is a steep sudden fall from height rather than balance loss from an object
to slump
vsto plunge
55 4.0

To sit down or fall forward suddenly and heavily

is a sudden steep drop in position rather than a heavy collapsing posture
to drop down
vsto plunge
34 1.8

To fall from a higher place to a lower place

means a sudden and steep fall rather than sometimes gradual movement
to dive
vsto plunge
13 3.9

To fall quickly to a much lower level

is the same sudden steep movement but focused on physical position as well
to take a tumble
vsto plunge
7 5.4

To fall suddenly, for example by tripping or by losing value

is a steep sudden fall mainly from height rather than a trip or decline
to nosedive
vsto plunge
4 5.8

To fall quickly and steeply, like a plane or stocks

is a sudden steep fall but not limited to front-first motion or aircraft
to hurtle down
vsto plunge
2 6.7

Move quickly and without control down a hill or road

is a sudden steep fall but may be less violent or uncontrollable
to sink like a stone
vsto plunge
  • Informal
2 6.7

Fall or fail very quickly and completely

is a sudden steep fall but does not stress total disappearance or no resistance
to power-dive
vsto plunge
  • Specialized
7.5

To make a plane dive steeply and quickly using engine power

is similar in steepness but is not necessarily controlled or engine driven
to crash-dive
vsto plunge
  • Specialized
8.1

To go down very steeply and quickly, often for a plane or submarine

is a steep sudden fall too but not specifically an emergency maneuver
to drop through the floor
vsto plunge
6.3

To fall suddenly to a much lower level

is a sudden steep physical fall rather than mainly dramatic reduction in levels

Antonyms

to rise
718 1.0

To move upward into the air, like smoke or mist

to ascend
39 4.4

To move up to a more important job or position

Phrasal Verbs

to take the plunge
18 5.5

Decide to do something difficult or risky after thinking about it for a long time

Compounds

bus plunge
8.4

A serious accident in which a bus falls from a bridge or cliff

How Fast

to plummet
93 5.8
to plunge
83 3.8
to drop
∞ 1.0
fall
191 1.0
to slide
716 1.0

Surface Forms

plunge infinitive
plunged past
plunged past participle
plunging present participle
plunges third person singular

Etymology

Plunge comes from an old word linked to the Latin plumbum, meaning 'lead', because heavy lead sinks quickly, so to plunge is to fall or drop suddenly.