Definitions

ebb and flow

NOUN

current

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flood river stream tide

STRONG

course draught drift flux jet juice progression run rush spate

WEAK

tidal motion

NOUN

ups and downs

Synonyms

WEAK

good and bad times peaks and valleys systole and diastole wax and wane

NOUN

wash

Synonyms

STRONG

eddy flow gush heave lapping murmur roll rush spurt surge surging sweep swell swirl swishing undulation

VERB

billow

Synonyms

STRONGEST

undulate

STRONG

balloon belly bloat bounce bulge heave pitch ripple rock roll swell toss wave

WEAK

puff up rise and fall rise up

Antonyms

STRONG

shrink stabilize

VERB

fluctuate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

oscillate seesaw vary veer waver

STRONG

alter alternate flutter hesitate shift swing undulate vibrate wave

WEAK

be undecided blow hot and cold go up and down hem and haw rise and fall yo-yo

Antonyms

STRONGEST

remain stay

STRONG

continue

WEAK

hold persist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Wars ebb and flow, and right now Ukraine's facing a harsh tide.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

There are signs this is more than the normal ebb and flow of executive reshuffling.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

The actual figures will ebb and flow with changes in monthly expenses, inflation, your investment returns and, of course, taxes.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 22, 2026

History shows that Latin American stock markets are closely related with the ebb and flow of commodity markets.

From Barron's • Jan. 5, 2026

For a moment, as I heard the ebb and flow of commotion echoing down the stairs, I held my breath again.

From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely

ebb and flow

Example Sentences

Related Words