DECLINED Synonyms: 333 Similar and Opposite Words

declined 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of declined next

as in bowing

bending downward or forward we awaited our punishment with declined heads

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declined

2 of 2

verb

past tense of decline

as in refused

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

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as in denied

to be unwilling to grant declined our request to hold a party

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as in fell

to go to a lower level especially abruptly new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years

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as in deteriorated

to become worse or of less value his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death

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as in decreased

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes

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as in plunged

to lead or extend downward the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles

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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 declined

Verb

All of the candidates would be newcomers to the board, since incumbents Denise Fears and Blake Roberson declined to run. —

Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026 Uber declined to comment on its latest entry into the autonomous vehicle market. —

Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026 Hopes are fading Italy’s Interior Ministry, which is responsible for immigration and citizenship, declined a request for comment on the issues raised by CNN’s interviewees. —

Julia Buckley, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026 The Mayor’s press secretary declined to comment further. —

Jessica Mathews, Fortune, 28 Mar. 2026 The small charges aren't arbitrary Low-dollar transactions are used to confirm that a card can be charged without being declined. —

Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Mar. 2026 Woods declined to submit to a urine test, an officer with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office told reporters during a press conference. —

Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026 Fishing has declined off the coasts of the seaside states of Veracruz, Tabasco and Tamaulipas since the spill. —

Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 28 Mar. 2026 The Pentagon declined to comment on the strike on Natanz, which was also hit in the first week of the war and in the 12-day war last June. —

Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declined

Verb

In the process, the Bulls refused to shut down players such as center Jalen Smith, who finally was shut down for the season this week after reaggravating a calf injury once again in Wednesday’s game.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
The woman refused any more information and was placed in the women’s ward.

— Kevin Foster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Mar. 2026