1
as in refuses
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 denies
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in falls
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deteriorates
to become worse or of less value
his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in decreases
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 plunges
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 deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
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2
as in dips
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
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3
as in demises
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
4
as in reductions
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
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Recent Examples of declines
Adeola Adeosun
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The Times’ proprietor, Patrick Soon-Shiong, now declines to support political candidates, a decision that conflicts with his community’s liberal constituency.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
This is due to general rate increases (GRIs) implemented by the carriers to kick off September to soften the blow of the capacity declines.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Fill those gaps and the need for emergency calories declines.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
As occupancy declines, attention turns to smaller retailers who may need relocation support, and larger anchors who often require tailored solutions.
—Kristin Mueller, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Men seem to be happiest when their wives’ income reaches about 40% of their own, and then their happiness declines beyond that threshold.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
Along with empathy’s rise has come the concern that this quality is in short supply; studies have found that physicians’ empathy varies widely and declines during medical training, and that physicians often fail to act empathically even when patients clearly demonstrate an emotional need.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The main reason behind these rent declines is that domestic migration to these metros has slowed down significantly since the pandemic frenzy at the same time that new inventory has landed on the market, giving renters more options.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2022, fourth graders dropped five points and eighth graders eight which represented historic declines versus 2019.
—Steve Grubbs, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Back in the present, Harcourt gets the chance to make good on that promise and declines to take it.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
This is the fourth-straight week of declines as mortgage rates fell in anticipation of the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Kering has been dragged down by steep declines at its star brand and a bulging debt load, forcing the group to shutter stores, offload real estate and reduce headcount after a dismal start to the year that saw group net profit plummet 46 percent in the first half.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2025
Similar declines in stop-arm violations have also been reported in Hillsborough County, with officials crediting the technology for helping to change driver behavior almost immediately.
—Buspatrol - A Mission-Driven Organization, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
If the Supreme Court declines review, Hernandez would face retrial unless prosecutors decide not to pursue the case further.
—Adeola Adeosun
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The Times’ proprietor, Patrick Soon-Shiong, now declines to support political candidates, a decision that conflicts with his community’s liberal constituency.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
This is due to general rate increases (GRIs) implemented by the carriers to kick off September to soften the blow of the capacity declines.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Fill those gaps and the need for emergency calories declines.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
As occupancy declines, attention turns to smaller retailers who may need relocation support, and larger anchors who often require tailored solutions.
—Kristin Mueller, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Men seem to be happiest when their wives’ income reaches about 40% of their own, and then their happiness declines beyond that threshold.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Yield declines often signal a recession on the horizon, the economist said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 20 Sep. 2025
Along with empathy’s rise has come the concern that this quality is in short supply; studies have found that physicians’ empathy varies widely and declines during medical training, and that physicians often fail to act empathically even when patients clearly demonstrate an emotional need.
—Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
The main reason behind these rent declines is that domestic migration to these metros has slowed down significantly since the pandemic frenzy at the same time that new inventory has landed on the market, giving renters more options.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
In 2022, fourth graders dropped five points and eighth graders eight which represented historic declines versus 2019.
—Steve Grubbs, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
Back in the present, Harcourt gets the chance to make good on that promise and declines to take it.
—Scott Meslow, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2025
This is the fourth-straight week of declines as mortgage rates fell in anticipation of the Fed’s quarter-point rate cut on Wednesday.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 18 Sep. 2025
Kering has been dragged down by steep declines at its star brand and a bulging debt load, forcing the group to shutter stores, offload real estate and reduce headcount after a dismal start to the year that saw group net profit plummet 46 percent in the first half.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2025
Similar declines in stop-arm violations have also been reported in Hillsborough County, with officials crediting the technology for helping to change driver behavior almost immediately.
—Buspatrol - A Mission-Driven Organization, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines
Verb
-
However, instead of caving to the demands of the USFF's powers-that-be, Cam refuses to sacrifice his soul by signing the contract and proceeds to unleash his strength on everyone involved in the demonic proceedings in an ultra-violent massacre.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Internet users are obsessed with a dog who refuses to get in the bath until her favorite song starts playing, leaving many to laud her high standards.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Israel denies any accusations of genocide.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
18 Sep. 2025
-
The incursion comes as a UN commission alleged Israel’s war in Gaza constituted genocide, accusations that Israel denies.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
While drought can contribute to a less dazzling leaf display, so too can a weather system that falls on the opposite end of the spectrum.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
21 Sep. 2025
-
To avoid crowds, try visiting during shoulder season, which typically falls from late April through May and late September to mid-October.—
Nicole Trilivas,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As the subterranean situation deteriorates, the deceptions Max’s and Ane’s parents have been weaving since their own teen years to protect their egos and easy lives unravel along with their lavish aboveground lifestyles.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Trust erodes, culture deteriorates, and the long-term health of the organization is put at risk.—
Christopher Kaufman,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But if your branding was clearer, stronger and more emotionally resonant, your LTV could be double, while your CAC decreases.—
Erik Huberman,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Johnston said his budget plans for zero overall growth in revenue and added that unless Denver's income actually decreases, there won't be any more layoffs next year.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Stardust Racers, the sinewy roller coaster that towers over Epic Universe, shoots bodies through the sky at more than 60 miles an hour and plunges them toward the surface of the Earth from the height of a 10-story building.—
Bianca Bosker,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
-
Regardless, that slight is the last thing Prater hears before Dexter plunges a knife into his heart.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Cast-iron skillets aren't just for dinner or dessert—they're also the perfect serving vessels for hot dips like black eyed pea dip, spinach artichoke dip, and queso.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Those under-invested in equities and looking to manage timing risks should consider phasing into stocks during market dips, Hoffmann-Burchardi said.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
-
But a good time in enviable vacation spots is guaranteed, with ghoulish demises for many principal figures here served up like caviar on sashimi.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Declines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declines. Accessed 23 Sep. 2025.
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