decrease 1 of 2

Definition of decreasenext
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decrease

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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
Heat exhaustion symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, high body temperature and decreased urine output. Victor Jacobo, CBS News, 26 June 2026 This hair dryer, for example, protects against heat damage while quickly drying, increasing shine, and decreasing frizz. Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026
Noun
That's a 21-point decrease in slugging percentage, across all big league hitters. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026 The shootings added to the 47 homicides and 149 non-fatal shootings that have been recorded in Baltimore so far this year, marking a 25% decrease in homicides compared to 63 at this time last year and a nearly 5% decrease in non-fatal shootings compared to 157 at this time last year. Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
  • New flyover ramps connecting to I-95 would also be built, while sound barriers would be installed along both sides of the corridor to help reduce traffic noise for nearby residents.
    Joan Murray, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • The rich treatment balances strengthening plant proteins with nourishing rosehip and sweet almond oils to reduce breakage and replenish moisture.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • The weight that was added to the structure over its lifetime diminished the building’s margins against failure, the report said.
    Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 23 June 2026
  • Louden points out that sometimes an English word strengthens and diversifies the Pennsylvania Dutch lexicon rather than diminishes it.
    Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • The final number of staffing reductions could change as the district transitions between fiscal years, according to the district.
    Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 June 2026
  • With this uptick in usage, Google hasn’t seen a reduction of headcount – companies are leaning into AI as an enhancement tool.
    Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Early on, Jonah couldn't be indoors during rumbling Florida thunderstorms because the noise reminded Jonah of the collapse, so father and son would take long drives until the storm subsided.
    Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 24 June 2026
  • Spoofing has subsided noticeably in recent days.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • That window is shorter than most executives assume, as mental and physical declines often begin earlier than midlife, while the leader still feels fully capable and engaged.
    Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 24 June 2026
  • The decline in energy prices is easing inflation concerns, which has helped push the 10-year Treasury yield down roughly 9 basis points.
    Jeff Marks, CNBC, 24 June 2026
Verb
  • So far, Milei has defended his Cabinet chief, even as the scandal damaged his government’s public image, constrained his political leverage in negotiations with allies and undermined his communication about spending cuts to Argentines scraping by on salaries that increasingly fall behind inflation.
    Clara Preve, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026
  • As opposed to the first film, where a good girl falls for a bad boy, the sequel turns the concept upside down, with Pfeiffer playing the bad girl who falls for a good boy.
    Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
Noun
  • Economists polled by Dow Jones are looking at a drop of 4%.
    Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 25 June 2026
  • The barrier to creation drops, but so does differentiation.
    Jay Sen, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Verb
  • In the bond market, Treasury yields eased with oil prices.
    Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 27 June 2026
  • May said the venue change helped ease some of the tension.
    Nina Burns, CBS News, 27 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

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