1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to diminish
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reduction
the amount by which something is lessened
the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decrease
Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025
Misdemeanor and felony arrests have experienced the sharpest declines, with the number of misdemeanor arrests dropping 31.7 percent since 2019 and felony arrests decreasing by 12 percent over the same period.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Allison Aubrey, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
This is a decrease from 2024, when women were 32% of non-acting Oscar nominees, compared to 64% men.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Verb
The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacramento Bee, 23 Feb. 2025
Misdemeanor and felony arrests have experienced the sharpest declines, with the number of misdemeanor arrests dropping 31.7 percent since 2019 and felony arrests decreasing by 12 percent over the same period.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
One of the surprising findings is that the decrease in depressive symptoms was on par — or even greater than — reductions documented in studies of people taking antidepressant medications.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 24 Feb. 2025
This is a decrease from 2024, when women were 32% of non-acting Oscar nominees, compared to 64% men.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
-
Guided by billionaire tech entrepreneur Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, the Trump administration has moved aggressively the past week to fire probationary workers across federal departments and agencies in an effort to drastically reduce the size of the government.—
Joey Garrison,
USA TODAY,
21 Feb. 2025
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An extra set of eyes and ears helps reduce the odds of injury.—
Josh Honeycutt,
Outdoor Life,
20 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The absence of Ayo Dosunmu — who is dealing with shoulder discomfort from a long-term injury — further diminished the Bulls roster.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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Suitable for all skin types, the face oil hydrates while improving elasticity and diminishing the appearance of fine lines.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That figure, according to the bureau, includes monetary compensation, principal reductions, canceled debts and other consumer relief.—
Susan Tompor,
USA TODAY,
18 Feb. 2025
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Of the 2,400 homes currently listed for sale on Zillow, 426 have seen a price reduction.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
But when Herring gave these patients buprenorphine, their pain and nausea subsided quickly.—
Moises Velasquez-Manoff Robert Petkoff Emma Kehlbeck Zak Mouton,
New York Times,
16 Feb. 2025
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In the case of the San Francisco Bay Area (specifically, Bay Farm Island, Corte Madera, Foster City and San Rafael), the researchers found that the land is subsiding at a rate of more than 0.4 inch each year as a result of sediment compaction.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In the United States, there have been recent declines in some parents getting their children vaccinated, driven largely by the spread of misinformation, including the misconception that vaccination may be tied to autism.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN,
19 Feb. 2025
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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
Verb
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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
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The Shrek franchise launched with the Oscar-winning 2001 feature that centered on an ogre named Shrek, who falls for Fiona, the princess of Far Far Away who has been cursed, trapped in the body of an ogre.—
Aaron Couch,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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That helped offset a 5.5% drop for Conagra Brands, which lowered its forecasts for upcoming profit and other financial measures.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2025
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Some states have experienced drops at the pumps, while in others, the cost of gas has increased.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
18 Feb. 2025
Verb
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If there is a way for Germany to quickly ease its debt constraints that would be a positive.—
Mike O'Sullivan,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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This medication is used for many conditions that cause swelling in the body and can ease multiple ailments.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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