I wanted to use the word "unwaning" (or, perhaps, un-waning), as in "for his unwaning enthusiasm". However, no decent (online) dictionary I've consulted seems to recognize it. What other word would you use? Does "unwaning" sound weird, or does it sound right to a native speaker?
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2Voting to close, on the grounds that when I Googled define wane and followed the first link, the definition ended with (compare 'wax'). And the fourth link shown by Google was headed Wax and wane | Define Wax and wane at Dictionary.com– FumbleFingersJul 25, 2011 at 16:31
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5Take into account that the OP may not need the word waxing. Waxing would not fit in his context. Unwaning would mean not getting weaker, whereas waxing means getting stronger. There's a difference. Two kinds of opposite, as it were.– DanielJul 25, 2011 at 16:35
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3@drm65: The OP asked for an antonym. Words either mean something or they don't.– RobustoJul 25, 2011 at 16:39
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Is there a word for the relationship between waning and unflagging? If there is, that's the word the OP needs in his question.– DanielJul 25, 2011 at 16:53
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2You could just use "unwaning". People will know what it means. And it's in some pretty good dictionaries. merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unwaning– Vincent McNabbJul 28, 2011 at 9:05
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4 Answers
With the word enthusiasm, you may want the word unflagging, or some synonym:
...for his unflagging enthusiasm.
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1As far as un- words go, "unflagging" seems to be popular with enthusiasm.– Kit Z. Fox ♦Jul 25, 2011 at 16:33
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okay, this is probably the word i've been looking for.. thank you! Jul 25, 2011 at 16:38
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Firstly: unwaning is a word. I understood what you meant when I read it.
But if you are looking for a substitute then I would use unwavering
unwavering adj - not wavering or hesitant; resolute
answered Jul 28, 2011 at 8:37
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hmm, thanks for the not on unwaning! Could have used it after all :)! Jul 28, 2011 at 15:16
The antonym of waning is waxing. Look at the cycles of the moon.
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1Waxing means "growing" though. The OP asks for something that means not diminishing.– Kit Z. Fox ♦Jul 25, 2011 at 16:32
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@Kit: Then maybe the OP should rephrase the title of the question and remove antonym.– RobustoJul 25, 2011 at 16:38
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I agree this is the best answer to the question in the title :) Too bad it's not what the questioner meant to ask.– LisaAug 24, 2011 at 0:02
I am not sure if it's the meaning you are looking for, but "unbridled enthusiasm" is a common English expression for unlimited amounts of excitement.
If you want something more like constant and steady excitement, "unwavering enthusiasm" might also suit.
answered Jul 25, 2011 at 16:35
