ebb

/ɛb/
verb
  1. To flow back or recede, especially of the tide.
    • The ocean ebbs and flows twice each day.
    • The tide began to ebb, leaving the boats stranded on the mud.
    • We watched the water ebb slowly away from the shore.
  2. To gradually decrease or become weaker.
    • Her patience began to ebb with each delay.
    • The crowd's enthusiasm started to ebb as the rain fell.
    • His strength began to ebb after hours of hiking.
Antonyms
noun
  1. The movement of the tide as it goes out from the land to the sea.
    • At low tide, the ebb reveals rocks that are usually underwater.
    • The ebb of the tide left shells and seaweed on the beach.
    • We set sail during the ebb to ride the current out of the harbor.
  2. A gradual decrease or decline in strength, intensity, or amount.
    • The ebb of interest in the topic surprised the teacher.
    • There was an ebb in the company's profits last quarter.
    • The ebb of her energy made it hard to finish the race.