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1. A gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
   - ebb, wane

1. Flow back or recede
   "the tides ebbed at noon"; "the tides ebbed away at noon"; "the tides ebbed down at noon"; "the tides ebbed out at noon"; "the tides ebbed off at noon"
   - ebb away, ebb down, ebb out, ebb off
    
2. Hem in fish with stakes and nets so as to prevent them from going back into the sea with the ebb
    
3. Fall away or decline
   "The patient's strength ebbed away"

Derived forms: ebbings

Type of: beleaguer, besiege, circumvent, decline, diminution, fall back, hem in, recede, surround

Antonym: tide

Encyclopedia: Ebb