Illustration of decrescendo
- mark indicating decrescendo 2
de·cre·scen·do
ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-(ˌ)dō 
plural decrescendos
1
: a gradual decrease in volume of a musical passage
2
: a decrescendo musical passage
decrescendo
2 of 2adverb or adjective
: with a decrease in volume
—used as a direction in music
Examples of decrescendo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Crescendos and decrescendos were exquisitely controlled.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 28 Apr. 2023
Deren’s last decade was a depressing decrescendo.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022
The loveliest moment was the last, when the soloist loosened a string while bowing, trailing off with a drooping decrescendo.
—Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 21 Oct. 2022
The weeks following Labor Day on Block Island become a decrescendo of day trippers looking for an afternoon of beach parties, out-of-town families on weekend excursions, and adventurous travelers looking to explore the rural beauty beyond the town’s main stops.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Sep. 2022
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Noun
Daedone wanted to savor decrescendo, too, as well as stasis, stupor, spiritual awakening, and whatever other sensations the stroke brought out.
—Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Crescendos and decrescendos were exquisitely controlled.
—Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 28 Apr. 2023
Deren’s last decade was a depressing decrescendo.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 16 Nov. 2022
The loveliest moment was the last, when the soloist loosened a string while bowing, trailing off with a drooping decrescendo.
—Zachary Lewis, cleveland, 21 Oct. 2022
The weeks following Labor Day on Block Island become a decrescendo of day trippers looking for an afternoon of beach parties, out-of-town families on weekend excursions, and adventurous travelers looking to explore the rural beauty beyond the town’s main stops.
—Alexa Gagosz, BostonGlobe.com, 20 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Decrescendo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decrescendo. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
decrescendo
1 of 2 noun
de·cre·scen·do
ˌdā-krə-ˈshen-dō
plural decrescendos
: a lessening in volume of sound
decrescendo
2 of 2 adverb or adjective
: with diminishing volume
—used as a direction in music
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