decrease 1 of 2

1
2

decrease

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decrease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate, diminish, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When would abate be a good substitute for decrease?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could diminish be used to replace decrease?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can dwindle be used instead of decrease?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When is it sensible to use lessen instead of decrease?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than decrease?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

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 decrease
Verb
Vaccination rates fell in most states during the pandemic and have continued to decline in the years that followed as trust in the U.S. health care system has decreased. Anna Kleiber, jsonline.com, 30 July 2025 Revolving credit decreased at an annual rate of 3.2%, while nonrevolving credit increased at an annual rate of 2.8%. Cassidey Kavathas, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
Noun
Iran has seen a more than 40% decrease in rainfall this year compared to the long-term average, and the Tehran Regional Water Company says dams that supply the capital are at about 21% of their capacity, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr News Agency. Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 31 July 2025 Out of all the cities analyzed, Lakeland’s one-year decrease in home sales was the greatest. Andrew Depietro, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
  • Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
    KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
  • Morning dopamine spikes from phone use reduce your motivation to pursue slower, more meaningful tasks later.
    Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • Rarely has an executive ever shown the kind of patience that Getz is displaying with the 2023 All-Star and Silver Slugger winner, who has diminished his trade value by hitting .219 with a .656 OPS since the start of ’24.
    Phil Rogers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The Bengals’ defensive changes should result in a marginal reduction in production, which moves Burrow just outside of the top three at his position.
    KC Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
  • In 2024, the company achieved a $7/barrel West Texas Intermediate (WTI) breakeven reduction, and its overall breakeven sits ~$45/barrel.
    David Trainer, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Verb
  • Authorities emphasized that beaches and waterfront areas should be avoided until the threat of wave activity fully subsides.
    Barney Henderson Robert Birsel John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 July 2025
  • Combined with other public health efforts, this clean needle initiative caused the outbreak to subside.
    Dave Wessner, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Noun
  • These adjustment to scheduling, along with staffing changes and dining revenue declines, are impacting not just Jack Fry's, but the entire Louisville restaurant economy.
    Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2025
  • The sales drop was led primarily by a 9% fall in North America and declines in Europe and Asia-Pacific.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Pair them with billowy blouses to close out the summer, then whip out your favorite chunky knit sweaters come fall for a stylish, boho look.
    Clara McMahon, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
  • Then the tarp came out as rain that had been falling around Bristol much of Saturday turned heavy and delayed the start.
    Teresa M. Walker, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • New episodes of The Sandman drop on Netflix at 3 a.m.
    Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • The local decline in veteran homelessness is part of a record-breaking drop across the U.S. since 2010, when the federal government began a focused effort to end homelessness among veterans.
    Jordan Smith, IndyStar, 24 July 2025
Verb
  • The Kremlin shows no sign of easing up its attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure.
    Brendan Cole, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Aug. 2025
  • Barrels are then transferred to the center of the first floor of the Warehouse E, slowly concentrating the flavors and easing into the correct balance.
    Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 2 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on decrease

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!