Illustration of decrescendo
- mark indicating decrescendo 2
de·cre·scen·do
ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 
plural decrescendos
1
: a gradual decrease in volume of a musical passage
2
: a decrescendo musical passage
decrescendo
2 of 2adverb or adjective
: with a decrease in volume
—used as a direction in music
Examples of decrescendo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Crescendos and decrescendos took place over shorter or longer periods, like waves of different strengths, creating audible structure amid the repetition.
—
Lisa Hirsch,
San Francisco Chronicle,
23 Feb. 2026
Daedone wanted to savor decrescendo, too, as well as stasis, stupor, spiritual awakening, and whatever other sensations the stroke brought out.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
There were eloquent solos, too, from DSO principals Gregory Raden (the clarinet’s final decrescendo in the second movement fading down to nothing) and bassoonist Ted Soluri.
—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas News,
27 Mar. 2023
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Noun
Rarely have decrescendos been so riveting, barely audible pianissimos so charged.
—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Mar. 2026
Crescendos and decrescendos took place over shorter or longer periods, like waves of different strengths, creating audible structure amid the repetition.
—
Lisa Hirsch,
San Francisco Chronicle,
23 Feb. 2026
Daedone wanted to savor decrescendo, too, as well as stasis, stupor, spiritual awakening, and whatever other sensations the stroke brought out.
—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
There were eloquent solos, too, from DSO principals Gregory Raden (the clarinet’s final decrescendo in the second movement fading down to nothing) and bassoonist Ted Soluri.
—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas News,
27 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Decrescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decrescendo. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decrescendo
1 of 2 noun
de·cre·scen·do
ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-dō
plural decrescendos
: a lessening in volume of sound
decrescendo
2 of 2 adverb or adjective
: with diminishing volume
—used as a direction in music
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