Meaning & use
ebbed
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“ebbed” is a form of “ebb”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbintransitive
Past tense of ebb: gradually decreased or flowed back, like a tide going out to sea.
Grammar: No object is needed; often used figuratively with words like 'confidence', 'enthusiasm', or 'support'.
Patterns
- something ebbed
- ebbed away
- ebbed and flowed
As the evening wore on, the noise from the party ebbed.
His confidence ebbed after he failed the driving test twice.
The tide ebbed, leaving a wide stretch of wet sand.
Word forms
| base form | ebb |
|---|---|
| third person singular | ebbs |
| past tense | ebbed |
| past participle | ebbed |
| -ing form | ebbing |
Common combinations
- ebb away
- Her enthusiasm for the project slowly ebbed away.
- ebb and flow
- The conversation ebbed and flowed throughout the evening.
- confidence ebbed
- After the third rejection, his confidence ebbed noticeably.
Synonyms and how they differ
- receded
- This is close in meaning but often used for physical things moving back, like floodwater.
- declined
- This is more general for becoming less or worse, not specifically a flowing back.
- faded
- This suggests a gradual disappearance, often of light or sound, not necessarily a tide.
Opposites
Word family
- ebb noun
- The flowing back of the tide; also a period of decline.
Practice
Fill in the blank: 'As the storm passed, the wind ______ and the sea became calm.'
Choose one answer.
The sentence is in the past tense ('passed'), so the past tense 'ebbed' is needed. 'Ebbing' would need a helping verb like 'was', and 'ebbs' is present tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ebbed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.