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
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2
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of decline
Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
The pic looks to decline around 60% or more, so $5.6M. Perkins’ previous NEON horror film, Longlegs, eased -47% in weekend 2 last July off a C+ Cinemascore, which is the same grade that The Monkey obtained.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
In total, German exports added up to 1.56 trillion euros last year, a 1.2% decline compared with 2023.
—Associated Press, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
Martinez declined a $16 million option with the Padres after the 2023 season.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025
The pic looks to decline around 60% or more, so $5.6M. Perkins’ previous NEON horror film, Longlegs, eased -47% in weekend 2 last July off a C+ Cinemascore, which is the same grade that The Monkey obtained.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
Why Leaders Are Resigning: The Three Critical Factors Erosion Of Trust in Leadership
The report shows that only 29% of employees trust their immediate managers—a dramatic decline.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
In total, German exports added up to 1.56 trillion euros last year, a 1.2% decline compared with 2023.
—Associated Press, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
This individual was the only one in the vehicle who refused to comply with their requests.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2025
-
Invited to pose for a photo with lovely peaceful British Friends of Israel on Saturday police refused.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Their findings paint a more complicated picture, one that her mother has denied.—
Brian Brant,
People.com,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Many criticized his decision as a capitulation to Donald Trump, though Bezos denied those claims.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Although platforms can rise and fall faster than the tiny-eyeglasses fashion trend, the principles of good marketing stand the test of time.—
Renae Gregoire,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Vaccination Rates As reported by the CDC, the measles vaccination rate among children in kindergarten nationally has fallen since 2019, from approximately 95 percent of children receiving a two-dose MMR coverage to 92.7 percent.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Read: The chaos in higher ed is only getting started The situation could deteriorate if current doctoral students start jumping ship.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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So organs deteriorate while doctor after doctor rejects them.—
Brian M. Rosenthal,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
For its most recent financial results for the third quarter of 2024, net sales decreased 3.6 percent to $119.1 million over the quarter.—
James Manso,
WWD,
25 Feb. 2025
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Unlike widening, which decreases the cost of driving and thus causes demand to rebound, congestion pricing regulates the cost of driving in a particular area or lane to tamp down on traffic, Burris explains.—
Allison Parshall,
Scientific American,
25 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In the gripping series, Mullen faces a complex but all-too-realistic cyberattack that plunges the world into chaos.—
Ally Neagen,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2025
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In fact, Russia appears to be pushing Iran toward diplomacy for fear of losing a key partner to a potential wider war that would plunge the region into even deeper chaos and further hamper Russian interests.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
This industry is the major culprit in the bay’s deterioration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
14 Feb. 2025
-
In the fourth quarter, revenues were up 2 percent at constant exchange rates, returning to growth after several quarters of deterioration, mainly thanks to the improvement recorded by the wholesale channel.—
Luisa Zargani,
WWD,
13 Feb. 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
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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 9 Mar. 2025.
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