waning confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "waning confidence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a decrease in trust or belief in someone or something over time. Example: "The team's waning confidence in the project's success was evident during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

It also comes at a time of waning confidence in such data among some voters.

The Washington Post

If Carter's litany of injuries is hampering him, so too is his waning confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Bianchi was given a one-year contract last summer, an indication of management's waning confidence in him.

The New York Times - Sports

Lagarde's remarks follow a sharp sell-off in China's stock market amid waning confidence about the country's economic outlook.

The Guardian - Business

While forfeitures of deposits are still relatively uncommon, a spate in recent months by potential home buyers appears to signal waning confidence in the market.

The New York Times

In his speech, Mr. Modrow also provided evidence of the frailty of his country's current conditions and the waning confidence of many of its 16 million people.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

That is certainly true of America today as it struggles to cope with economic stagnation, enervating foreign wars and waning self-confidence.

The Economist

"Weak labor market conditions, generally soft business conditions and waning public confidence in questionable business practices have helped erode consumer confidence," said Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's research center.

The New York Times

activity has been cyclical, waxing and waning with confidence in the economy," he said.

The New York Times

In September, industrial output fell 2% compared with August, hit by high interest rates, waning consumer confidence and cheaper imports.

The Economist

Stocks moved higher in heavy trading yesterday as investors contemplated earnings, the economy, their taxes and waning consumer confidence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing trends or shifts in sentiment, use "waning confidence" to effectively communicate a gradual loss of trust or belief. It is especially useful when describing economic, political, or social contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "waning confidence" when you intend to convey a complete or sudden loss of trust. "Waning" implies a gradual decline, not an abrupt disappearance. For a sudden loss, consider phrases like "collapse of confidence" or "loss of faith".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "waning confidence" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its role in describing a state or condition of diminishing trust or belief. For example, "Lagarde's remarks follow a sharp sell-off in China's stock market amid waning confidence about the country's economic outlook."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "waning confidence" effectively describes a gradual decline in trust or belief, frequently in economic, political, and social contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in reputable sources. While "waning confidence" is versatile, it's important to distinguish its gradual connotation from a sudden "loss of confidence". Alternatives such as "declining confidence" or "diminishing confidence" offer similar meanings. When used appropriately, this phrase enhances clarity and precision in describing weakening convictions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

declining confidence

Replaces "waning" with "declining", indicating a gradual decrease.

diminishing confidence

Substitutes "waning" with "diminishing", emphasizing a gradual reduction.

decreasing confidence

Uses "decreasing" instead of "waning", conveying a similar sense of reduction.

lessening confidence

Replaces "waning" with "lessening", indicating that something is reduced or made smaller.

fading confidence

Replaces "waning" with "fading", suggesting a gradual disappearance.

deteriorating confidence

Suggests a worsening state of confidence, indicating a negative progression.

shrinking confidence

Employs "shrinking" to depict a reduction in the amount of confidence.

eroding confidence

Uses "eroding" to describe a gradual destruction or wearing away of confidence.

sinking confidence

Uses the image of sinking to portray a reduction in confidence.

collapsing confidence

Indicates a sudden and complete loss of confidence, a more drastic change than "waning".

FAQs

What does "waning confidence" mean?

"Waning confidence" refers to a gradual decrease in trust, belief, or assurance in someone or something. It suggests a progressive decline rather than a sudden loss.

How can I use "waning confidence" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company's "waning confidence" in the project led to budget cuts" or "There is "waning confidence" in the government's ability to handle the crisis".

What are some synonyms for "waning confidence"?

Alternatives include "declining confidence", "diminishing confidence", or "fading confidence". Each carries a similar connotation of gradual decline.

Is it more appropriate to use "waning confidence" or "loss of confidence"?

"Waning confidence" describes a gradual decrease, while "loss of confidence" implies a more complete or sudden disappearance of trust. Choose the phrase that best reflects the rate and extent of the decline you wish to convey.