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
Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
When asked about the nature of the exercise, Merritt also declined to comment.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Other fears of growing old often include memory loss and physical decline.
—Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
The quality of its ice cream has not changed, but the innovation in food and the look of the restaurants have declined under BRK ownership.
—Vitaliy Katsenelson, Fortune, 14 May 2026
When asked about the nature of the exercise, Merritt also declined to comment.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026
Noun
The Bronx is already leading the city in crime reduction, and this restructuring will strengthen the precision policing strategies driving those historic declines.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 20 May 2026
Other fears of growing old often include memory loss and physical decline.
—Jann E. Freed, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
That’s still intense emotional and intellectual material for a mainstream TV series, but the Muschiettis, much like King, refuse to frame their work as an abstract allegory.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
-
DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng—a hedge fund billionaire who controls nearly the entire company—has spent years refusing outside money.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
The medical providers Cole and Mosley accused denied wrongdoing.—
Jo Yurcaba,
NBC news,
16 May 2026
-
Weinstein’s attorneys have denied that encounter ever took place, and have argued that the trial judge improperly withheld evidence that would have bolstered his alibi.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Only two were earned, but they were all deserved after Rodón fell apart in the third frame.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2026
-
Chelsea’s squad demographic falls somewhere in between but is probably closer to the former than the latter, and a football legend with his resume should not encounter the authority problems faced by owner BlueCo’s previous hires.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Over the course of the next hour, the weather deteriorated rapidly.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 May 2026
-
The warning underscores the deteriorating situation in Gaza.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
For example, Social Security retirement benefits could decrease and pensions could stay the same.—
Kate Dore, CFP®, EA,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
-
As more time passes from the peak of the solar cycle, auroral activity will decrease.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Brent crude plunged nearly 11%.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
16 May 2026
-
Hannah Berner wears a plunging neckline ensemble to the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Launch party in New York City on May 14.—
People Staff,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Noun
-
Prolonged vacancy has caused structural deterioration and the historic Centennial Hill neighborhood surrounding it faces pressure from development.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
20 May 2026
-
Long vacant, the building suffers from structural deterioration.—
Neda Ulaby,
NPR,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
The Phillies, off to an even worse start at 9-19, relieved Rob Thomson of his managerial duties Tuesday, and with Cora’s declination, named bench coach Don Mattingly interim skipper.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.—
Ken B. Morales,
ProPublica,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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