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GRE vocabulary

wane

verbHigh-frequency wordMore W words

to decrease gradually in size, strength, or importance

Word origin: From Old English wanian, to lessen.

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In a sentence

Wane in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing wane in a sentence.

Public enthusiasm for the project waned as the costs kept rising.

Public interest in the scandal began to wane as newer controversies crowded the headlines.

Synonyms
diminishdwindleebbsubside
Antonyms
waxgrowincrease

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

The committee dismissed the proposal as blank, pointing out that its projected revenues depended on conditions no economy had ever sustained.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “wane” well

To wane is to decrease gradually in size, strength, or importance, drawn from the shrinking phase of the moon. It is the direct opposite of wax, with which it is almost always paired.

Keep going

More GRE words starting with W

waffle

to speak or write evasively without committing to a clear position

waggish

playfully roguish or mischievously humorous

wallow

to indulge oneself excessively in a state or emotion

wan

pale and sickly in appearance, suggesting weakness or weariness

wanderlust

a strong, restless desire to travel and explore the world

wanton

marked by reckless cruelty or a deliberate disregard for restraint

warble

to sing with trilling, modulated notes

warrant

to justify or provide adequate grounds for something

Common questions

Questions about “wane”

Wane (verb) means to decrease gradually in size, strength, or importance
Here is wane used in an example sentence: "Public enthusiasm for the project waned as the costs kept rising." Another example: "Public interest in the scandal began to wane as newer controversies crowded the headlines."
Common synonyms for wane include diminish, dwindle, ebb, subside.
Antonyms of wane include wax, grow, increase.
Clusters with diminish, dwindle, ebb, and subside in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms wax, grow, and increase mark the reversed sense, and wax is the inseparable partner term.
Yes. Wane is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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