1
: the reflux of the tide toward the sea
2
: a point or condition of decline
our spirits were at a low ebb
ebbed; ebbing; ebbs
1
: to recede from the flood
2
: to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state
his popularity ebbed
Synonyms
Examples of ebb in a Sentence
Noun
Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Verb
waiting for the tide to ebb
the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlie Procell, USA TODAY, 24 Oct. 2024
How will the state manage the slow death of California’s gasoline industry?
California might get into the gasoline refinery business to ensure stable supplies as demand ebbs due to the state’s own policies.
—Defne Karabatur, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
Linley Sanders and Nicholas Riccardi, Los Angeles Times, 3 Jan. 2025
Not much of a decline to be sure — only back to the levels of the mid-1990s — but the tide of democratization has ebbed.
—Ben Ansell, NPR, 20 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ebb 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024) Several returning characters from past Black Ops games are joined by newcomers who collectively face a conspiracy inside the CIA that has continued to escalate as the Cold War ebbs.
—Verb
But since Trump’s victory in November, Republicans’ suspicions about election security at all levels — including confidence in their own local election officials — have ebbed substantially.
—Dictionary Entries Near ebb
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ebb. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Kids Definition
ebb
1 of 2 noun1
: the flow away from the shore of seawater brought in by the tide
2
: a passing from a high to a low point
our spirits were at a low ebb
also
: the time of such a passing
ebb
2 of 2 verb1
: to recede from the flood
2
: to fall from a higher level or better state : weaken
her strength ebbed
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share