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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dips
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
When the estrogen hormone declines during perimenopause, the body’s insulin sensitivity decreases, too, which affects overall metabolism.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
But today there’s something refreshingly unusual about electronic music so unabashedly idealistic, something that declines to submit to reality and instead goes searching for some far-off nirvana, finding connections to other dreamers on the way.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Any guest who declines to be searched may be denied entry.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Feb. 2026
As the population ages and the number of college students declines, institutions of higher education are actively cultivating a crop of midlife and older students.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Ed Setzler declines to run to replace Barry Loudermilk.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
When spending declines, small businesses feel it first.
—Julio Fuentes, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Officials with the Department of Human Services weren’t sure what would happen next if the board declines to move forward, which appears possible.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Max Saltman, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
However, as oil production declines and fossil fuel companies increasingly become insolvent, California regulators worry taxpayers may have to assume the costs to plug these wells.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
His best years were in Cincinnati at the start of the decade, but sharp declines in production led to the Rockies declining to pick up an option on his contract at the end of last season.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 14 Feb. 2026
School districts are already facing budget shortfalls and uncertainties due to enrollment declines.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The dollar and yen saw sharp declines over 2025 and into 2026.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Other SaaS companies, including Salesforce, ServiceNow, and HubSpot, have all suffered double-digit declines in their stock prices.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Underscoring the restrained pace of inflation, January saw large declines in energy and used cars and trucks.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026
Bondi focused in her opening remarks on the idea of keeping people safe, citing significant declines in crime numbers.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
Their research and resulting report, for instance, found that over the past five recessions, the total GDP declines from dips in tourism averaged a 10% dip.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026
When the estrogen hormone declines during perimenopause, the body’s insulin sensitivity decreases, too, which affects overall metabolism.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 13 Feb. 2026
But today there’s something refreshingly unusual about electronic music so unabashedly idealistic, something that declines to submit to reality and instead goes searching for some far-off nirvana, finding connections to other dreamers on the way.
—Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026
Any guest who declines to be searched may be denied entry.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 11 Feb. 2026
As the population ages and the number of college students declines, institutions of higher education are actively cultivating a crop of midlife and older students.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 9 Feb. 2026
Ed Setzler declines to run to replace Barry Loudermilk.
—Adam Beam, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
When spending declines, small businesses feel it first.
—Julio Fuentes, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Officials with the Department of Human Services weren’t sure what would happen next if the board declines to move forward, which appears possible.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
Studies have shown, however, that buybacks account for significant declines in mass shootings.
—Max Saltman, CNN Money, 15 Feb. 2026
However, as oil production declines and fossil fuel companies increasingly become insolvent, California regulators worry taxpayers may have to assume the costs to plug these wells.
—Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
His best years were in Cincinnati at the start of the decade, but sharp declines in production led to the Rockies declining to pick up an option on his contract at the end of last season.
—Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 14 Feb. 2026
School districts are already facing budget shortfalls and uncertainties due to enrollment declines.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
The dollar and yen saw sharp declines over 2025 and into 2026.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Other SaaS companies, including Salesforce, ServiceNow, and HubSpot, have all suffered double-digit declines in their stock prices.
—Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 13 Feb. 2026
Underscoring the restrained pace of inflation, January saw large declines in energy and used cars and trucks.
—Andrew Ackerman, Washington Post, 13 Feb. 2026
Bondi focused in her opening remarks on the idea of keeping people safe, citing significant declines in crime numbers.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines
Verb
-
If at a certain point the person refuses to cooperate, recruiters resort to blackmail, Andriy said, threatening to hand over the correspondence to the SBU.—
Daria Tarasova-Markina,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Nearly six years later, Donovan still refuses to feed into this narrative surrounding his exit from Oklahoma City and his expectations in Chicago.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While Singh’s lawyer Jitender Khurana denies any political motive for his client’s paroles, his previous releases coincided with crucial state elections, fueling speculation that his freedom is a reward for the Dera’s electoral support.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Continue reading … FOUL PLAY – Lions fan files $100M lawsuit after DK Metcalf clash, denies racial slur claims.—
,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When night falls over the ship, step into the theater to see a jaw-dropping performance.—
Megan duBois,
USA Today,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The State of Texas must pick up on compassionate border security that picks up where the Federal Government falls short.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Europe is tightening the net on Russian oil being shipped through its waters, squeezing Moscow’s ability to fund its war even as officials and business executives in Russia fear the window is narrowing to reach a peace deal before the economy deteriorates.—
Catherine Belton,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Emily Demirdonder, director of operations and marketing at Proximity Plumbing, said the rubber backing deteriorates in hot water and breaks apart during the spin cycle, and those fragments can block drain pumps and drainage pipes—sometimes leading to flooding and machine failure.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Elevated heart rate and less endurance As hydration drops, blood volume decreases, forcing the heart to work harder to maintain cardiac output.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
As the incivility and tribalism of our politics increase, the quality of our political discourse decreases accordingly.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When Heathcliff, a foundling, discovers that Cathy Earnshaw, the daughter of the impoverished Yorkshire lord who’s taken him in, has played a prank on him by putting eggs in his beds to be crushed, the boy plunges his fingers into the slippery puddle of yolk and albumen left behind.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Madelyn Cline is giving all the stylish WAGS who showed up at the 2026 NFL Honors a run for their money thanks to a blue Christopher Esber gown that plunges all the way to her stomach.—
Emma Banks,
InStyle,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
This versatile dairy staple can bulk up a breakfast smoothie, anchor a marinade for lamb and other meats, form the base of classic dips like tzatziki, and transform ice pops into high-protein, healthy desserts—adding tang, tenderness, and creaminess along the way.—
Joe Sevier,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Growth time can shift due to sunlight, temperature dips, or humidity imbalance, so conditions play a big role.—
David Beaulieu,
The Spruce,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No reason was provided for the shops’ demises.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Nov. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Declines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declines. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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