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
Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
Trust in period-tracking apps declined further after Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade over concerns the data could be used to prosecute abortions in certain states, according to the FTC.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025
Piacenza observed a slight decline in China and stagnation in Japan.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
As labor’s share of the economy declined, so too did the institutional trust and shared social values that underpin democratic life.
—Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025
Trust in period-tracking apps declined further after Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade over concerns the data could be used to prosecute abortions in certain states, according to the FTC.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
Noun
In fact, the decline of apex scavengers can sometimes facilitate a boom in smaller scavengers, Sonawane explains.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025
Piacenza observed a slight decline in China and stagnation in Japan.
—Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
In both cases, as there was no misconduct, there were no apologies offered and no admission of guilt, in an effort to protect their reputations by refusing contrition for their journalism.—
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld,
Time,
7 July 2025
-
Glover refused, and Pierce told her to turn around as she was being arrested.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
So with his conviction and prison stay, Larson was denied access.—
Savannah Leigh Richardson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
The Enquirer was denied these records on the grounds that complaints of educator misconduct that have resulted in an investigation are not deemed public until the board has taken final action on the case.—
Annie Goldman,
The Enquirer,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Starbucks' same-store sales in China were flat in the first quarter this year after falling for four consecutive quarters .—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
-
Partner that with another warning sign: A declining ratio of U.S. exports to imports while the U.S. deficit increases into record territory – like trade falling two months in a row, atypical since the former tends to remain steady even as the deficit increases.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels that threatened homes and businesses.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
-
The latest example of trouble resulting from this definitional confusion comes from the deteriorating relationship between Microsoft and OpenAI.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
The recent data represents a downward trend as COVID-19 cases and deaths have decreased statewide into early summer, the state dashboard shows.—
Jenna Prestininzi,
Freep.com,
7 July 2025
-
Revenue has remained relatively stagnant, decreasing slightly from $153 million to $152 million over the past year.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
That sent the stock of America’s biggest credit score company plunging Tuesday.—
Samantha Delouya,
CNN Money,
8 July 2025
-
Her strapless gown also touted a plunging neckline with subtle boning, teamed with a massive feather boa for added drama.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
People.com,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
With deterioration continuing, a 2014 study recommended the entire span be replaced.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
8 July 2025
-
Corrosion is one of the leading causes of conventional RC infrastructure deterioration, often requiring extensive repairs and maintenance.—
Carol Cain,
Freep.com,
3 July 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 changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.—
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 18 Jul. 2025.
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