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to wane

to wane

48 6.4
To become less in size, amount, or strength
  • verb
  • /weɪn/
translation icon : disminuir
  • Well, I can say the interest I had in you has waned.
  • waning support
  • waning interest
  • waning popularity

Just the durability of the signal seems to wane so quickly.

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Examples

  • As recently as twelve to fifteen years ago, that self-confidence was waning in the Western world.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The love for the thing itself begins to wane, and it becomes about money and career and legacy.

  • Our hopes began to wane.

  • Later, newspaper coverage may wane, and other sources may be needed to fill the gaps.

    Academic text (1990)
  • With what remained of his waning strength, the old man gathered wood and lit a fire.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Though the phenomenon eventually waned and then disappeared, the novels continued to be read.

    Academic text (1999)
  • I mean this television reality phenomena seems to be waning, and I wonder about the commercial viability of the project.

  • Similarly, the bid from retail investors has waned with US households turning to outright sellers of stocks.

  • During this time, maternal immunity is waning, and most children are still in diapers.

    Academic text (2008)
  • As the evening progressed, the light from the setting sun began to wane slowly.

Synonyms

to fade
vsto wane
531 1.2

To slowly become less visible, bright, or loud

is similar but emphasizes general weakening rather than disappearance
to decline
vsto wane
344 3.7

To become less over time, for example in value or health

is chiefly about reduction in strength or intensity rather than health
to go down
vsto wane
321 1.9

To become less in amount, size, or value

is more about weakening in power or force rather than only size
to weaken
vsto wane
305 2.8

To make people and things less strong or effective

is a more general decrease that also covers size or amount
to diminish
vsto wane
201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

focuses on weakening in strength or intensity rather than only size
to dwindle
vsto wane
72 5.1

To become smaller or less in number over time

is focused on loss of strength or intensity rather than count alone
to fade away
vsto wane
69 3.0

To become weaker and then disappear over time

is broader, covering any decrease in strength or amount
to fall off
vsto wane
49 2.6

Become less in number, amount, or quality

is the same weakening idea but often used in more formal contexts
to falter
vsto wane
48 4.9

To lose confidence, strength, or determination and become less able to continue

focuses on general weakening rather than personal confidence loss
to die down
vsto wane
46 2.7

To become less strong or loud over time

is broader, applying to strength or amount beyond sounds
to lessen
vsto wane
34 2.8

To make something smaller in amount or strength

is more often used about strength or intensity rather than general reduction
to recede
vsto wane
29 4.8

To move back or become less strong

is a general decrease in strength or amount not physical retreat
to abate
vsto wane
23 6.8

To become less strong or severe and to make something do the same

covers weakening broadly, not only severity of situations or feelings
to drop off
vsto wane
21 3.5

To become less in number or amount

is the general weakening idea without implying casualness or pace
to fall away
vsto wane
19 4.3

To become less in amount or quality

is similar but emphasizes weakening of force or strength
to taper
vsto wane
18 4.2

To become gradually less in size or amount

is the general loss of strength without stressing gradual shape change
to wear thin
vsto wane
  • Informal
11 6.2

Lose people's trust or patience over time

is the core weakening notion without the idea of wearing out
to ease off
vsto wane
9 4.0

To become gradually less strong or severe

is the broader decline in strength not only by easing pressure
to attenuate
vsto wane
9 7.9

To make something weaker, like sound or light

is the general weakening idea, not specially technical in tone
to peter out
vsto wane
9 5.6

To slowly become weaker and then stop

is the ongoing decrease without implying an ending moment
to taper off
vsto wane
9 4.5

To become smaller or weaker over time until it stops

is the basic weakening idea without the clear finish implied here
to die away
vsto wane
8 4.2

To become quieter and then stop

covers weakening generally, not only fading sounds or emotions
to fizzle out
vsto wane
  • Informal
8 5.3

To gradually lose energy or interest and end weakly

is the steady weakening idea without implying a disappointing end
to drop away
vsto wane
2 3.3

To become less over time

is about weakening in strength more than falling standards
to dwindle away
vsto wane
1 4.6

Slowly get smaller in number or amount until nothing remains

highlights weakening over time without necessarily ending in nothing
to dwindle down
vsto wane
1 5.1

To become slowly smaller or less until almost nothing remains

describes the weakening process without focusing on near total end
to slack up
vsto wane
  • UK
1 5.7

Move, act, or work less quickly and with less energy

is the neutral decrease idea without informal tone
to slacken off
vsto wane
3.9

To become less strong or active

describes overall weakening even when not caused by reduced effort

Antonyms

1.0

To make something larger or more in number

1.0

Become larger or more physically mature

904 1.0

To become greater in amount or strength

to wax
  • Literature
14 7.9

Become larger, as the moon does before it is full

Idioms

3 6.7

Becoming less strong, less important, or less common

How Much

to vanish
421 3.0
to diminish
201 3.7
to wane
48 6.4
to drop
1.0
to dip
47 2.5

Surface Forms

wane infinitive
waned past
waned past participle
waning present participle
wanes third person singular

Etymology

The word wane comes from an old English verb wanian meaning 'to lessen' or 'become smaller'. So to wane is to decrease in size, amount, strength, or intensity.