as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
each decrement in amount is limited to one third of the previous total
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 decrement
Research confirms that humans show performance decrements over time on tasks requiring sustained attention, with high-level thinking sustainable for between four and twenty hours a week.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 Mar. 2026
However, there are cognitive decrements over time...
—Taylor Wilson, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Faced with out-of-bounds readings for the radar’s hardware, each CDU began to issue radar increment and decrement interrupts to the guidance computer—lots of interrupts.
—Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 5 July 2019
Although the marijuana brownies caused significant decrements in participants’ attentiveness, physical coordination and ability to concentrate, only 11 percent of them ever had a THC blood level over the legal limit.
—Keith Humphreys, The Cannabist, 31 May 2017
The increment of fitness gain of the former happens to have been greater than the decrement entailed by the latter, resulting in the simultaneous increase in the frequency of both the fit and unfit variants.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 Aug. 2011
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 22 Mar. 2026
However, there are cognitive decrements over time...
—Taylor Wilson, USA Today, 25 July 2025
Faced with out-of-bounds readings for the radar’s hardware, each CDU began to issue radar increment and decrement interrupts to the guidance computer—lots of interrupts.
—Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 5 July 2019
Although the marijuana brownies caused significant decrements in participants’ attentiveness, physical coordination and ability to concentrate, only 11 percent of them ever had a THC blood level over the legal limit.
—Keith Humphreys, The Cannabist, 31 May 2017
The increment of fitness gain of the former happens to have been greater than the decrement entailed by the latter, resulting in the simultaneous increase in the frequency of both the fit and unfit variants.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 26 Aug. 2011
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrement
Noun
-
There was also a decrease in amniotic fluid, which protects the fetus and provides other benefits during pregnancy, the zoo said.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
28 May 2026
-
Only 28% said Trump has handled the cost of living well, a six-point decrease since January, while the share of Republicans who said Trump has handled the cost of living well has declined 14 points since the beginning of the year.—
Sara Dorn,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
The reason for the decline is largely attributable to a dramatic reduction in pregnancies among teens and young women — in part due to more accessible contraception — coupled with economic instability from the Great Recession, Marquez said.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
-
Today, global trade governance is increasingly shaped by sustainability requirements, supply chain traceability, carbon reduction targets, compliance standards and digital transparency.—
Li Jun,
Footwear News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
This is the latest state-level step to put a dent in the unbridled permitting of AI giving out mental health advice that is wildly over-the-line.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Caesars faces mounting pressure as fewer visitors to Las Vegas — its core market — dent revenue at resorts, hotels and casinos, while its online betting arm trails larger rivals like FanDuel and DraftKings and faces growing competition from prediction markets.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
But the decline actually ended years ago, and the latest numbers from the American Booksellers Association show independent stores expanding at a pace not seen this century.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
-
Mutant cells in the aging brain, meanwhile, appear to contribute to cognitive decline.—
The Week US,
TheWeek,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
That 10-goal swing explains most of the standings drop.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2026
-
That excellent start to the season had rapidly become a useful buffer against the drop.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decrement.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrement. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
