Recede, as the tide

EBB

Think of the opposite of flowing in; this word describes water pulling back before it returns.

The word "ebb" directly means to gradually decrease or move back, just like the tide does when it recedes from the shore. It’s a straightforward definition clue—no wordplay or tricks here—since "ebb" is the precise term for the tide’s withdrawal. If you’ve ever heard the phrase "ebb and flow," it refers to the natural back-and-forth movement of tides, making "ebb" the perfect fit. Think of low tide, and you’ve got your answer.