Synonyms

wax and wane

Idioms

Increase and decrease, as in size, number, strength, or intensity, as in Enrollments in these programs wax and wane from year to year. This expression alludes to the phases of the moon, with its periodic changes in size. It was first recorded in the 1300s.

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.

See Examples For:

wax and wane

Revenue could also become more volatile since incomes of high earners wax and wane with capital gains.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

Harris, a former San Francisco district attorney, state attorney general and U.S. senator, has seen her popularity wax and wane.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2024

But once relationships are formed, some will naturally wax and wane, with many of us losing touch with friends and family that we were once close with.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 23, 2024

The intensity will shift and wax and wane.

From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2023

They understood that she could wax and wane for a long time.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023