decline

decline

noun

Definition of DECLINE

1

a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body <her sad decline from a robust athlete to an old woman with arthritis>

Synonyms debilitation, decay, decaying, declension, degeneration, descent, deterioration, ebbing, enfeeblement, weakening

Related Words atrophy; exhaustion; drooping, flagging, limping; regression, relapse, setback

Near Antonyms invigoration, strengthening; progress; rejuvenation, rejuvenescence

Antonyms comeback, improvement, rally, recovery, recuperation, rehabilitation, revitalization, snapback

2

a change to a lower state or level <the decline of the Roman Empire>

Synonyms decadence, declension, declination, degeneracy, degeneration, degradation, dégringolade, descent, deterioration, devolution, downfall, downgrade, ebb, eclipse, fall

Related Words dark age, nadir, sunset; decay, rotting, spoiling; breakup, crumbling, decomposition, disintegration, dissolution; abasement, debasement; depreciation, lessening; decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, destruction, havoc, ruin, ruination; abatement, decrease, decrement, de-escalation, deflation, diminishment, diminution, dip, downslide, downtrend, downturn, drop, drop-off, falloff, loss, lowering, reduction, sag, shrinkage, slip, slump

Near Antonyms advancement, development, evolution, growth; blossoming, flourishing, flowering; renewal, restoration, revitalization; heightening; accretion, accrual, addendum, addition, augmentation, boost, enhancement, gain, increase, increment, raise, supplement

Antonyms ascent, rise, upswing

3

a downward slope <the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline>

Synonyms declension, declivity, descent, dip, downgrade, downhill, fall, hang, hanging

Related Words basin, depression, hollow

Near Antonyms glacis, grade, gradient, hill, inclination, incline, lean, pitch, rake, tilt

Antonyms acclivity, ascent, rise, upgrade, uphill, uprise

4

a loss of status <the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline>

Synonyms decline, dégringolade, demise, descent, down, downfall, fall, flameout, Götterdämmerung

Related Words breakdown, burnout, collapse, crash, meltdown, ruin, undoing; defeat, disappointment, reversal, setback; bottom, nadir; abasement, disgrace, humiliation

Near Antonyms advance, headway, progress; flower, heyday, prime

Antonyms aggrandizement, ascent, exaltation, rise, up

5

the amount by which something is lessened <a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned>

Synonyms abatement, decline, decrement, dent, depletion, depression, diminishment, diminution, drop, drop-off, fall, falloff, loss, reduction, shrinkage, step-down

Related Words deduction, subtraction; downturn, slip, slump; curtailment, cut, cutback, retrenchment, shortening

Near Antonyms accretion, accrual, accumulation, addition, supplement; continuation, extension; upswing, uptrend, upturn

Antonyms boost, enlargement, gain, increase, increment, raise, rise, step-up, uptick