waned

USAGE SUMMARY

'waned' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to diminish or decline gradually. Example sentence: Over time, the popularity of the classic board game waned in favor of its electronic counterpart.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While more than 100,000 people turned out for rallies at the protests' peak this autumn, the numbers of demonstrators have sharply dwindled and public support for the movement has waned.

The Guardian

For most gay men, it only becomes an issue when they sleep with women in the present, especially because, since homosexuality as a militant issue has waned, the word bisexuality is seen as a slur.

The Guardian - Film

Cameron and Hilton have been friends for 20 years but as the concepts they worked on, such as the "big society", have failed to make an impact, so their professional attachment has waned, the authors write.

The Guardian

Many have seen a big rise in the number of evening attractions such as restaurants, bars and clubs as the presence of traditional specialists selling clothes, flowers or even newspapers has waned.

The Guardian - Business

The protests have waned both in Nigeria and abroad, but those gathered seemed re-energised as they sought to draw attention back to a campaign that has been repeatedly hijacked in the runup to presidential elections in February.

The Guardian

By 2012, the enthusiasm had waned and he won mainly thanks to his opponent's lack of appeal.

The Guardian

Once media interest had waned, it felt like we were starting all over again after one long horrible and messy party, after the last bus home had long gone.

The Guardian

"We cannot rule out that the population might have once had an outbreak but that by the time of sampling, antibody titres had waned and no new introductions of the virus had occurred," they write.

The Guardian

As French Connection's star has waned, Asos's has risen, and that was reflected in their share prices on Thursday: French Connection closed down 8% at 23p while Asos finished up more than 14% at £23.30.

The Guardian - Business

Such claims are contradicted by the fact that there is a genuine level of support around Sampi that has not waned since she was first cast.

The Guardian - Film

Laddism has waxed and waned over the decades in response to particular contexts (and often linked to shifting gender roles), and is currently being nurtured on the consumerist campus.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "waned" to describe a gradual decline in something abstract, such as enthusiasm, support, or influence. For example, "Public interest in the issue waned after the initial media coverage."

Common error

Avoid using "waned" interchangeably with words that imply a sudden or complete disappearance. "Waned" suggests a gradual reduction, not an abrupt end.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "waned" is as a verb, typically used in the past tense to describe a gradual decline or decrease in something, such as interest, power, or enthusiasm. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "waned" is a verb used to describe the gradual decline of something, frequently observed in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in English. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, "waned" is used to describe the gradual decrease of something abstract over time. It is important to use "waned" to refer to a gradual reduction and not a sudden disappearance, and remember that alternatives such as "diminished", "decreased", or "declined" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminished

Suggests a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

decreased

Indicates a reduction in quantity, size, or intensity.

declined

Implies a gradual decrease or deterioration.

faded

Suggests a loss of color, brightness, or intensity over time.

subsided

Indicates a decrease in intensity or activity.

abated

Implies a reduction in force or intensity.

dwindled

Suggests a gradual reduction in number or amount.

petered out

Implies a gradual decrease and eventual disappearance.

tapered off

Indicates a gradual reduction in size or intensity.

lost momentum

Suggests a reduction in the force or speed of movement or progress.

FAQs

How do you use "waned" in a sentence?

The verb "waned" is used to describe something that gradually decreases or diminishes in strength, intensity, or power. For instance, "The moon's light waned as it entered its last quarter."

What can I say instead of "waned"?

You can use alternatives like "diminished", "decreased", or "declined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "waned" or "winded"?

"Waned" and "winded" have completely different meanings. "Waned" means to decrease gradually, while "winded" means to be out of breath.

What's the difference between "waned" and "weakened"?

"Waned" implies a gradual decline, often in something intangible like influence or popularity, whereas "weakened" suggests a reduction in physical strength or structural integrity. You could say, "His resolve weakened under pressure," or "The movement's support waned over time."