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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fall
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declination
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in downhill
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in demise
a loss of status
the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 decline
Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Blain declined to comment on the lawsuit after it was filed.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The stock had plunged 14% on Thursday, its biggest decline in almost three months, wiping out $153 billion from the electric-vehicle maker’s market value.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
The White House declined to comment about a potential TikTok sale.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Blain declined to comment on the lawsuit after it was filed.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Noun
And the Pew research also showed one interesting trend; after years of decline, Gen Z is driving somewhat of a religious revival.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The stock had plunged 14% on Thursday, its biggest decline in almost three months, wiping out $153 billion from the electric-vehicle maker’s market value.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
Paul was severely ill, so he was excused from appearing, but Vladimir was taken away by the Bolsheviks after refusing to renounce his father.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 June 2025
-
The Mullahs in Tehran refused to dismantle their nuclear program.—
Anna Commander
Tom O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
New York has been denied permission to speak with multiple sitting head coaches, including Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks, who used to coach Jalen Brunson.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
-
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Netanyahu declined to confirm or deny the proposal.—
Time,
Time,
16 June 2025
Verb
-
Reckoning for three weekends, but the Tom Cruise-starrer fell only 31 percent in its fourth outing to $10.3 million from 2,942 theaters for a domestic tally of $166.3 million.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
15 June 2025
-
Americans celebrate Flag Day, which falls on Saturday, June 14, in many ways, including parades, ceremonies and educational events designed to encourage respect for the flag and its significance.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
15 June 2025
Verb
-
Eventually, Paley’s eyesight deteriorated due to diabetes.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
13 June 2025
-
However, the situation is expected to deteriorate further as Netanyahu gave a public speech saying Israel’s military action may last several days.—
Gaurav Sharma,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
Verb
-
Several people are still unaccounted for, but the number of missing people has slowly decreased, a San Antonio Fire Department spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
14 June 2025
-
The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 June 2025
Verb
-
In March 2024, meantime, a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland suddenly plunged 400 ft.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
13 June 2025
-
Online traffic from Canadian buyers, Realtor.com reported, plunged by 40.7 percent to 34.7 percent from the last quarter of 2024 to the first quarter of 2025.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
They are then transported to the Berkhamsted conservation center, where their condition is examined for deterioration.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Nationwide, the ramifications of deportation for these key citizens will affect all of us, which can lead to deterioration of our healthcare system, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health aides, etc.—
Rachel Blumberg,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share