Master confusing words with ease
Wane vs. Wax
Wane
/weɪn/Examples:
The moon is starting to wane, casting less light.Their enthusiasm began to wane as the meeting dragged on.As his influence began to wane, new leaders emerged.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Wax
/wæks/Examples:
She watched the moon wax and wane throughout the month.The sculptor carved his vision into the wax mold gently.His enthusiasm began to wax after he won the first prize.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Think of the moon phases: the moon waxes (grows), then wanes (shrinks).
- Wane and waning both have an n, like diminish.
- Wax can be sticky, like it is building up or increasing.
- If youre waxing something, youre usually adding to it, like waxing a car or waxing lyrical.
- Wane rhymes with drain, which can help you remember it's related to decreasing.
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