wanes

USAGE SUMMARY

"wanes" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something decreasing or declining in intensity. Example sentence: The enthusiasm of the crowd waned as the speakers droned on.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the truth is, it hardly ever wanes.

The Guardian

The result is a rising number of fatalities alongside rising usage, seemingly filling the gap as the popularity of conventional drugs such as cocaine and heroin wanes.

The Guardian - Opinion

There was always a danger that we might run out of things to talk about on our second honeymoon, but our conversation about when and where to eat never wanes.

The Guardian - Travel

The most important answer is to undertake the structural reforms required to boost economic growth as the commodity boom wanes: 70% of the fall in poverty in 2003-12 was due to a rise in incomes from employment, not from social programmes, according to the bank.

The Economist

Among Scottish Catholics, who account for about 16% of the population, there used to be a lingering fear that an independent Scotland would enhance the privileges of the Protestant church; but as Protestantism wanes, that fear has less reason to exist.

The Economist

As big clients' interest in traditional broking services wanes and the cost of insurance plummets, the brokers are doing their best to collect advisory fees along with sales commissions.

The Economist

In the third phase ("Trough of Disillusionment"), interest wanes as trials fail to deliver results and press coverage turns negative.

The Economist

As the influence of Islamist radicals wanes, more girls have shed their veils.

The Economist

The Fed's drip-feed of low interest rates and investors' ravenous appetite for risk enabled many emerging countries and companies in them (notably, Russian firms) to borrow remarkably cheaply in the capital markets, despite a multitude of deep-seated problems.As interest rates wax and risk appetite wanes, investors are likely to focus on countries' problems, not their progress.

The Economist

"When nature, including the human being, is viewed as the result of mere chance or evolutionary determinism, our sense of responsibility wanes," he argues.Displaying a better-than-usual sense of public relations, the Holy See released the document on the eve of a world leaders' summit in L'Aquila, east of Rome (see article).

The Economist

Its economy has weakened, yet the default path for fiscal policy is a hefty tightening as the Obama stimulus wanes, the states slash spending to balance their budgets and the Bush tax cuts expire.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wanes" to describe a gradual decline in something, whether it's interest, power, or influence. It adds a touch of formality and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "wanes" to describe sudden or abrupt endings. It's best suited for situations where something diminishes over time, not disappears instantly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "wanes" is as a verb, typically used in the third-person singular form, to describe the process of something gradually decreasing or declining. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wanes" is a versatile verb used to describe the gradual decline of something over time. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media sources. While suitable for formal writing, avoid using it for abrupt endings. Alternatives include "diminishes", "declines", and "fades", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember that "wanes" communicates a diminishing process, adding precision and a touch of formality to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diminishes

Directly describes a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

declines

Indicates a gradual decrease or deterioration.

fades

Implies a gradual loss of brightness, color, or strength.

ebbs

Suggests a receding or decline, often in reference to tides or emotions.

lessens

Indicates a reduction in amount, degree, or intensity.

weakens

Describes a reduction in strength or power.

subsides

Suggests a decrease in intensity or activity, often after a period of turbulence.

tapers off

Implies a gradual reduction to a point.

dwindles

Indicates a gradual decrease in size or amount.

abates

Suggests a reduction in intensity or degree.

FAQs

How do you use "wanes" in a sentence?

Use "wanes" to describe a gradual decline in something. For example, "As the days grew shorter, the sunlight "diminishes", and the warmth of summer "declines"."

What is a good substitute for "wanes"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "wanes" include "diminishes", "declines", or "fades". The most appropriate choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say something "wanes quickly"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common to use "wanes" to describe a gradual process. If something diminishes rapidly, consider using alternatives like "disappears quickly" or "fades rapidly".

What is the difference between "wanes" and "ends"?

"Wanes" implies a gradual reduction or decline, while "ends" suggests a complete cessation or termination. For instance, "Interest in the topic wanes over time" suggests a gradual loss of interest, whereas "The meeting ends at 5 PM" indicates a definite stopping point.