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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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2
as in declination
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
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3
as in downhill
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
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4
as in demise
a loss of status
the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline
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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
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of decline
Michael Russo, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Columbia officials declined to comment on the pending litigation.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
In Florida, nearly all 67 counties saw a decline in childhood immunizations among kindergartners since COVID came in 2020, state data shows.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
Hynes declined to address the penalty kill after the game as not to jinx it.
—Michael Russo, The Athletic, 14 Mar. 2025
Columbia officials declined to comment on the pending litigation.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 14 Mar. 2025
Noun
In the late nineteenth century, the Ottoman Empire, fearing decline, pursued modernizing reforms.
—Charlie Tyson, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025
In Florida, nearly all 67 counties saw a decline in childhood immunizations among kindergartners since COVID came in 2020, state data shows.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to seize more territory in Gaza if Hamas continues to refuse to release the hostages.—
Rachel Wolf,
Fox News,
21 Mar. 2025
-
However, as more businesses standardize their policies, the number of remote-friendly companies will shrink, leaving fewer options for workers who refuse to return.—
Jason Wingard,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In most fields workers are prone to deny a problem and even pretend to enjoy the abuse.—
James L. Edwards III,
The Athletic,
13 Mar. 2025
-
The Idaho Senate this week approved a joint resolution to deny voters the authority to legalize cannabis through a statewide ballot initiative.—
A.J. Herrington,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
After this, oil production will fall, albeit slowly toward 2050, as decarbonization proceeds and more electric vehicles take to the roads.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Gas prices continued to fall throughout the nation on Tuesday, bringing financial relief to people in the country as consumer prices rise in other areas.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
11 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.—
Joel Carboni,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
-
Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.—
Amy McGorry,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
These systems reduce manual checks, decreasing staff needed for routine tasks without replacing them entirely.—
Chris Ciabarra,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
-
By April 2024, fuel costs peaked for the year before starting to decrease again in May.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Volatile markets fell, then really plunged, and rebounded some in wild trading to close off their lows for the day — but still in the red.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
11 Mar. 2025
-
The Dow Jones Industrial Average also took a hit, dropping 2.1 percent, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq plunged 4 percent.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Roads and bridges are designed with strict weight limits for a reason: excessive loads accelerate structural deterioration, leading to costly repairs and safety hazards.—
Ydanis Rodriguez,
New York Daily News,
9 Mar. 2025
-
In addition to this, using excessive water or harsh chemical cleaners can then lead to moisture accumulation around window seals, which can potentially cause mould growth or deterioration of the frame around the windows.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.—
WWD,
WWD,
3 Sep. 2019
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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