waned
Americanadjective
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having decreased in strength, intensity, etc..
Shale gas drilling caused earthquakes in the United Kingdom, leading to waned interest in shale gas and a slowdown of geological work.
-
having declined in power, importance, prosperity, etc..
This film director hasn't done too well of late, either commercially or critically, but nobody should gloat over his waned status.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of waned
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.
"People may revert to their prior behavioural patterns because the incentive payments are insufficient when the enthusiasm has waned," said Ferraro, an expert in human behaviour and public policy.
From Barron's ● Sep. 17, 2026
Moscow maintains an air force base in Kyrgyzstan, a former Soviet republic, but as Moscow’s international clout has waned during its protracted war in Ukraine, China has grown ascendant in the country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
As a result of this, the crowd waned throughout their performance, with the duo reduced to desperate pleas: “What happened to the hand claps?”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 24, 2026
Enthusiasm for growing the library has waxed and waned over the years.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Sheed dozed in the bushes next to Petey, whose confidence waned with every passing—or nonpassing—second.
From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
