plunged; plunging
1
: to cause to penetrate or enter quickly and forcibly into something
plunged the dagger
2
: to cause to enter a state or course of action usually suddenly, unexpectedly, or violently
plunged the nation into economic depression
1
: to thrust or cast oneself into or as if into water
2
a
: to become pitched or thrown headlong or violently forward and downward
also
: to move oneself in such a manner
plunged off the embankment
b
: to act with reckless haste : enter suddenly or unexpectedly
plunges into project after project
c
: to bet or gamble heavily and recklessly
3
: to descend or dip suddenly
the stock's value plunged
Examples of plunge in a Sentence
Verb
Her car plunged off a bridge.
The stock market plunged yesterday.
The President's approval rating has plunged to 20 percent.
The moose population has plunged in recent years.
The rocky cliffs plunge into the swirling rapids below.
The road plunges down the mountain.
Noun
Amazingly, the cat survived its plunge from the building's roof.
Market analysts predicted a price plunge.
The store experienced a sharp plunge in sales.
Recent Examples on the Web
USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Trump Media drops 10% Trump Media & Technology Group stock plunged another 10% on Monday, hitting new lows as the shares continued their free fall from opening-week highs.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
People who chase total solar eclipses all around the world will tell you that seeing the moon blot out the sun, plunging the world into sudden darkness, can be a transformative, unforgettable experience.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
Since then, the Truth Social owner’s share price has plunged by as much as 47% to as low as $41.90 on Friday.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Employment in hospitality and leisure, which plunged during the pandemic, continues to bounce back and is now above its February 2020 levels.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
In March, the Gucci owner issued a warning that its first-quarter sales would plunge by 10% this year compared with 2023 owing to stalling demand for expensive goods amid high interest rates, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
In his third feature in as many years — this one was selected as Macedonia’s Oscar entry for international feature — the filmmaker plunges us into a swirling eddy of merry but harrowing chaos among an unusual family.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Some in Michigan remember in 1989, when Leslie Pluhar plunged off the Mackinac Bridge, which connects the state's two biggest peninsulas, and fell to her death.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
That's below its opening price last Monday of $49.90 per share, and represents a 39% plunge from the stock's high of $79.38 on March 26.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
For about 4½ minutes on April 8, millions of Americans will see their Monday plunge prematurely into darkness.
—William Neff, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Some of the homes include your own private plunge pool or rooftop deck overlooking the ocean.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024
The villas also come with their own private infinity plunge pool and a huge outdoor shower.
—Michele Robson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Some rooms offer ocean views and other have garden views, but all rooms have a private terrace with either a Jacuzzi or a plunge pool.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
Boeing has suggested that the LATAM plunge may have been caused by an incident in the cockpit rather than by the plane’s controls.
—Gregory Wallace, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Members can also partake in recovery treatments such as Himalayan salt saunas and cold plunges.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024
Verb
The rare event − where the shadow of the moon plunges a narrow strip of land into darkness in the middle of the day − is an astronomical experience like no other that will be unusually accessible to millions of people.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
Trump Media drops 10% Trump Media & Technology Group stock plunged another 10% on Monday, hitting new lows as the shares continued their free fall from opening-week highs.
—Vinamrata Chaturvedi, Quartz, 8 Apr. 2024
People who chase total solar eclipses all around the world will tell you that seeing the moon blot out the sun, plunging the world into sudden darkness, can be a transformative, unforgettable experience.
—Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
Since then, the Truth Social owner’s share price has plunged by as much as 47% to as low as $41.90 on Friday.
—Matt Egan, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
Employment in hospitality and leisure, which plunged during the pandemic, continues to bounce back and is now above its February 2020 levels.
—Talmon Joseph Smith, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
In March, the Gucci owner issued a warning that its first-quarter sales would plunge by 10% this year compared with 2023 owing to stalling demand for expensive goods amid high interest rates, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 5 Apr. 2024
In his third feature in as many years — this one was selected as Macedonia’s Oscar entry for international feature — the filmmaker plunges us into a swirling eddy of merry but harrowing chaos among an unusual family.
—Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024
Some in Michigan remember in 1989, when Leslie Pluhar plunged off the Mackinac Bridge, which connects the state's two biggest peninsulas, and fell to her death.
—Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 26 Mar. 2024
Noun
Each of the fifty-six Pool Suites feature private plunge pools and plenty of space to sprawl out in complete privacy, and the fifteen villas (ranging from one- to four-bedrooms) are perfect for groups.
—Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2024
That's below its opening price last Monday of $49.90 per share, and represents a 39% plunge from the stock's high of $79.38 on March 26.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2024
For about 4½ minutes on April 8, millions of Americans will see their Monday plunge prematurely into darkness.
—William Neff, Washington Post, 24 Mar. 2024
Some of the homes include your own private plunge pool or rooftop deck overlooking the ocean.
—Cynthia J Drake, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2024
The villas also come with their own private infinity plunge pool and a huge outdoor shower.
—Michele Robson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Some rooms offer ocean views and other have garden views, but all rooms have a private terrace with either a Jacuzzi or a plunge pool.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 25 Mar. 2024
Boeing has suggested that the LATAM plunge may have been caused by an incident in the cockpit rather than by the plane’s controls.
—Gregory Wallace, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024
Members can also partake in recovery treatments such as Himalayan salt saunas and cold plunges.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plunge.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near plunge
Cite this Entry
“Plunge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plunge. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
plunge
1 of 2 verb
plunged; plunging
1
: to push or drive into something with force
plunged a knife into the pie
2
: to leap or dive into water
3
a
: to rush with reckless haste
plunged into debt
b
: to bring into an unpleasant state
plunged the family into gloom
4
: to dip or move suddenly downward or forward and downward
the road plunges along the slope
plunge
2 of 2 noun
: a sudden dive, leap, or rush
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