1
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
he declined the invitation to the party she declined to participate in the soccer game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fall
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to plunge
to lead or extend downward
the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
her sad decline from a robust athlete to an old woman with arthritis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declination
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in downhill
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in demise
a loss of status
the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decline
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Fleming’s productivity declined in 2023 before the Catawissa, Pennsylvania, native transferred to Penn State for his final year of eligibility in 2024.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
The Browns need to prepare for anything and Sanders getting those reps will be important in case Gabriel is hurt or starts to show a decline in his play, or Kevin Stefanski simply wants to see if his other rookie can play in a regular season game.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
Total penalties by the Bears, including six that were declined.
—Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2025
Fleming’s productivity declined in 2023 before the Catawissa, Pennsylvania, native transferred to Penn State for his final year of eligibility in 2024.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Specifically, looking back over the past several years, there have been nine prior four-week declines of roughly 10% or more.
—Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
The Browns need to prepare for anything and Sanders getting those reps will be important in case Gabriel is hurt or starts to show a decline in his play, or Kevin Stefanski simply wants to see if his other rookie can play in a regular season game.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
What isn’t known — and what university and fraternity officials have refused to discuss — is what happened in the basement of the three-story house in the 1300 block of West Campus Road, before the young man lost consciousness.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Thomas, alas, can refuse any trade after taking the qualifying offer this summer and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Both initially denied the affair, though Rimes later admitted to it.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
-
This is what happens when any people and their history are denied, forgotten, declared disposable.—
Kevin Powell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Oct. 2025
-
However, compared to his older stepbrothers, his net worth falls a little bit short.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
12 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Run defense by the safety opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick also has deteriorated.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The plan has seen rapid growth in recent years as California’s insurance market has deteriorated, with companies pulling back business in the state due to rising risks from climate change, losses caused by major wildfires and other factors.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Moreover, parlay bets are getting more complicated as time goes on, decreasing the chances of winning.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
-
In early January, the restuarant closed for two weeks to regroup after sales decreased by 37%.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The model wore a pink look featuring a belted, silky one-piece with short shorts and plunging neckline.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Its value against other currencies plunged about 11% over the first half of 2025, the biggest decline in more than 50 years, a Morgan Stanley report in August found.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Americans have this year grappled with elevated inflation, as well as a deterioration of the job market and a broader weakening of the nation’s economic outlook.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
-
The median age of survival since 1970 is 29 years and, while there is no cure and physical deterioration is inevitable, advancements in care have lengthened life expectancy.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Presenting their findings in a lengthy declination memo, the prosecutors explicitly mentioned the two other investigations to bolster their recommendation that probable cause does not exist to charge Comey, according to sources familiar with the contents of the memo.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
6 Oct. 2025
-
On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share