OpenSynonym

wanes

/weɪnz/

VERB

1. Gradually decreases in strength, intensity, or importance

To progressively become weaker, less intense, less powerful, or less significant over time.

1.1. Interest and enthusiasm

Used when someone's curiosity, excitement, motivation, or willingness to participate gradually becomes weaker.

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Examples

  • His interest in politics wanes as he grows older.
  • Public enthusiasm for the campaign wanes after the initial excitement.

Related Words

  • interest
  • enthusiasm
  • excitement
  • motivation
  • curiosity

1.2. Influence, power, and support

Used when someone's authority, influence, popularity, or support for an idea gradually becomes weaker.

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Examples

  • The influence of that ideology wanes with each passing generation.
  • Her political influence wanes as public confidence declines.

Related Words

1.3. Energy and physical strength

Used when someone's energy, stamina, or physical strength gradually decreases, often because of fatigue or the passage of time.

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Examples

  • She noticed her energy wanes toward the end of the workday.
  • His strength wanes after several hours of physical labor.

Related Words

1.4. Feelings and emotional intensity

Used when emotions such as anger, fear, or anxiety gradually become less intense.

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Examples

  • Her anger wanes as she begins to understand his reasons.
  • The anxiety wanes once the examination is over.

Related Words

1.5. Light and brightness

Used when light, brightness, or illumination gradually becomes dimmer or weaker.

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Examples

  • The moon's brightness wanes after reaching its full phase.
  • The candlelight wanes as the candle burns down.

Related Words

1.6. Quantity, numbers, and resources

Used when an amount, population, supply, or other measurable quantity gradually becomes smaller.

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Examples

  • The number of visitors wanes toward the end of the season.
  • The village's water supply wanes during the prolonged drought.

Related Words

VERB

2. Becomes progressively less visible during the lunar cycle

To pass through the lunar phases in which the illuminated portion of the Moon visible from Earth becomes progressively smaller.

2.1. The Moon's diminishing visible phase

Used to describe the Moon as its illuminated visible portion decreases after the full moon.

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Examples

  • The Moon wanes over the two weeks following the full moon.
  • The Moon wanes to a thin crescent before the new moon.

Related Words