1
: the reflux of the tide toward the sea
2
: a point or condition of decline
our spirits were at a low ebb
ebbed; ebbing; ebbs
1
: to recede from the flood
2
: to fall from a higher to a lower level or from a better to a worse state
his popularity ebbed
Examples of ebb in a Sentence
Noun
Morale seems to have reached its lowest ebb.
a surprising ebb in the quality of workmanship in goods coming from that country
Verb
waiting for the tide to ebb
the fortunes of the town slowly ebbed as factory after textile factory closed
Recent Examples on the Web
Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
In particular, the deepening of climate damage and the rise of indebtedness are correlated and both are world problems, at a time when coordination between the great powers is at its lowest ebb since the 1930s.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 29 July 2025
Meanwhile, worries about other issues have ebbed in the past year.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ebb
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.
Noun
At their lowest ebb last season, City’s reluctance to make threatening forward runs was visible to the eye, favouring more measured build-up and perhaps reluctant to open up too much with opposition counter-attacks in mind.
—Thom Harris, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2025
In particular, the deepening of climate damage and the rise of indebtedness are correlated and both are world problems, at a time when coordination between the great powers is at its lowest ebb since the 1930s.
—Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
One year’s worth of data isn’t sufficient to tell us about a radical realignment, and the Republican youth wave certainly seems to have ebbed since last fall, but Pew provides us with yet another blinking light on the dashboard for Democrats.
—Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 29 July 2025
Meanwhile, worries about other issues have ebbed in the past year.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ebb
Cite this Entry
“Ebb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ebb. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ebb
1 of 2 noun1
: the flow away from the shore of seawater brought in by the tide
2
: a passing from a high to a low point
our spirits were at a low ebb
also
: the time of such a passing
ebb
2 of 2 verb1
: to recede from the flood
2
: to fall from a higher level or better state : weaken
her strength ebbed
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share