wane
/weɪn/
Group 10Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (verb)
- To decrease gradually in power, size, intensity, or extent GRE
Example in Context
Public interest in the scandal waned as months passed without new revelations, and the story gradually disappeared from the front pages.
Synonyms
fadedeclineshrink
Etymology
To gradually diminish or decrease in size or intensity.
- wanian (Old English) — to decrease
Memory Aid
🌑Sounds like “pain”
When my PAIN starts to WANE, I do a happy dance like I’m celebrating the end of my aches!
Visual Association
🌒The moon slowly fading from full to new, illustrating the gradual process of waning.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “wane” mean on the GRE?
wane (verb) means “To decrease gradually in power, size, intensity, or extent”. Public interest in the scandal waned as months passed without new revelations, and the story gradually disappeared from the front pages.
How to remember “wane” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “wane” sounds like “pain”. When my PAIN starts to WANE, I do a happy dance like I’m celebrating the end of my aches!
What are synonyms for “wane”?
Common synonyms: fade, decline, shrink.