waning

[wey-ning]

adjective

1. decreasing in strength, intensity, etc..

   Many teens in focus groups expressed waning enthusiasm for social media.

2. declining in power, importance, prosperity, etc..

   The recent hacking of the retailer’s credit card system will have devastating implications for its already waning business.

3. drawing to a close; approaching an end.

   The bill will likely be passed in the waning days of this legislative session.

4. (of the moon) decreasing in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon.

   The crescent of fine white sand, wrapped around the bay, looked like a waning moon.

noun

1. the process of decreasing, declining, or coming to an end.

   The Middle Ages occurred between the waning of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance.

2. (of the moon) the process of decreasing in the extent of its illuminated portion after the full moon.

   Onion seeds are planted in the fall, during the waning of the Harvest Moon.

Other Word Forms

• unwaning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waning¹

First recorded before 900; wan(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; wan(e) ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses

Example Sentences

That’s as investors also fret over waning expectations the Fed will make one last rate cut this year.

Read more on MarketWatch

The promotions are a headliner on the Chinese shopping calendar, pulling in billions in sales, but momentum has been waning in recent years as economic headwinds keep consumers cautious.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But with the United States shunning the event and appetite for more climate ambition waning among other countries, Brazil is pushing for voluntary action at COP30.

Read more on Barron's

Seven-time champion Djokovic might be 38 and showing clear signs his power is waning, but he remains the player most capable of beating Alcaraz and Sinner - and stands more chance over three sets.

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The Federal Reserve’s anecdotal survey of the economy from October found that manufacturing activity varied across the country and that “most reports noted challenging conditions due to higher tariffs and waning overall demand.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal