sinking 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of sinkingnext
as in fading

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sinking

2 of 3

noun

1
as in foundering

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2
as in plummeting

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sinking

3 of 3

verb

present participle of sink
1
as in deteriorating
to become worse or of less value his fortunes have steadily sunk since the breakup of his business

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2
as in plunging
to go to a lower level especially abruptly I had just bought a bundle of shares of the stock when its price sank like a rock

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3
as in stifling
to refrain from openly showing or uttering sinks his pride and makes the first step towards a reconciliation

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4
as in vanishing
to cease to be visible that evening we sat on the beach, dreamily watching the sun sink beneath the horizon

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5
as in reducing
to diminish the price or value of the slightest nick will sink the price of a piece of Tiffany glass

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6
as in humiliating
to reduce to a lower standing in one's own eyes or in others' eyes the revelation that he has been embezzling for years definitely sinks him in my opinion

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7
as in falling
to lead or extend downward the road sinks abruptly after that curve

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8
as in weakening
to lose bodily strength or vigor the old woman only sunk further after she was moved to the nursing home

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinking
  1. deteriorating
  2. plunging
  3. stifling
  4. reducing
  5. falling
  6. crumbling
  7. dipping
  8. swallowing
Verb
  • Lebanon’s recent instability began with the economic crisis of 2019, which sparked widespread protests against government corruption, financial mismanagement, and the deteriorating quality of life, which was further impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic a few months later.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Aside from being the target of Israeli airstrikes at present, Lebanon’s ongoing woes are marked by a severe economic crisis that in 2019 sparked widespread protests against government corruption, financial mismanagement and the deteriorating quality of life.
    Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of deteriorating
Verb
  • After plunging during the pandemic, Brazil’s theatrical market has been recovering since 2021, but the pace of the recovery has been hampered this year by 2023’s Hollywood double strike.
    Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
  • The lifestyle mogul wore her blonde hair in loose waves around her shoulders and teamed a plunging black top with a chunky gold chain necklace for the outing.
    Becca Longmire, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of plunging
Verb
  • Fintech companies and their partners must collaborate closely with regulators to develop standards that protect consumers without stifling innovation.
    Zareef Hamid, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
  • These outdated practices are slowing down your teams, stifling progress and ultimately costing you money.
    Patrick Reynolds, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
Definition of stifling
Verb
  • Automated Back-Office Operations AI uses advanced analytics and machine learning to add efficiency to back-office operations, increasing productivity and reducing costs.
    Babu Sivadasan, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Trekking poles, like the Cascade Mountain Lightweight Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Trekking Poles that are on sale for $25, offer stability on uneven terrain, reducing strain on joints.
    Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of reducing
Verb
  • To counter falling snow levels, resorts are already turning to artificial snow machines, which further contribute to climate change through their expansive use of energy.
    BYRyan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Though prices for Rolex sports watches keep falling, the smaller Rolex Day-Date has shot up in value—a full 57 percent in Auguest, according to the watch market tracker Everywatch.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 4 Oct. 2024
Definition of falling
Verb
  • In August 2020, the observatory started crumbling after an auxiliary cable snapped, causing damage to the telescope’s dish and the receiver platform that hung above it, according to the National Science Foundation.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • At one point, ship masts were used to help support the roof of the crumbling piazza that overlooks the Potomac River.
    Michael E. Ruane The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 20 Oct. 2024
Definition of crumbling
Verb
  • This investment mindset is exactly why dipping into the designer price point category will be well worth your time, research, and budget.
    Olivia Cigliano, WWD, 4 Oct. 2024
  • Just dipping its toes in that genre, with those strong performers, is enough to drive you mad.
    Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of dipping
Verb
  • Generally, those neurons control skeletal muscle activity, including walking, breathing, speaking and swallowing, according to the National Institutes of Health.
    Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
  • Epinephrine injections, or EpiPens, are reserved for people with severe allergic reactions — such as trouble breathing or swallowing — which can sometimes be life-threatening.
    Erika Edwards, NBC News, 3 Oct. 2024
Definition of swallowing
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near sinking

sinkholes

sinking

sinking fund

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Cite this Entry

“Sinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinking. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sinking

Nglish: Translation of sinking for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of sinking for Arabic Speakers

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