wane (C1)

verb

Pronunciation: /weɪn/

Definition

To decrease in size, extent, or intensity; to draw to a close.

Examples

• The moon began to wane after its full phase, becoming a crescent in the night sky.

• Public interest in the scandal started to wane as new headlines emerged.

• As the summer waned, the days grew shorter and the air became cooler.

How to Use wane

wane into (prepositional phrase)

To gradually transition into a lesser state or condition. — "Their enthusiasm for the project began to wane into indifference."

on the wane (idiom)

Decreasing in power, importance, or size. — "The empire's influence was clearly on the wane after centuries of dominance."

Synonyms of wane

Words with a similar meaning to wane:

• fade
• diminish
• decline
• recede

Antonyms of wane

Words with the opposite meaning to wane:

• wax
• grow
• increase

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