1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to diminish
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reduction
the amount by which something is lessened
the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decrease
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
That means that the size of the cells decreases with each round of divisions.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Christopher Marquis, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
For those customers, that will amount to a roughly 1% decrease on their monthly bills.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Verb
Much like adjusting the heat, the researchers were able to both increase and decrease the duration of prethermalisation.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 20 Feb. 2026
That means that the size of the cells decreases with each round of divisions.
—Literary Hub, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Further, even if a state does lose a net number of millionaires, that does not guarantee a net decrease in the total tax base, the size of which depends on the relative wealth and numbers of those who stay and leave.
—Christopher Marquis, Time, 18 Feb. 2026
For those customers, that will amount to a roughly 1% decrease on their monthly bills.
—Drew Kann, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
-
But in the long run, that doesn’t do anything to dismantle networks of criminality or reduce the size of their operations.—
Angélica Durán-Martínez,
The Conversation,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Others have sought to use cloud seeding to disperse fog at airports, tackle air pollution, reduce hail damage or even to manipulate the weather for major events, such as the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Work remained consistent even if the projects diminished in prestige and quality.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Left unaddressed, a voter in Maryland who prefers a House majority willing to check the power of the White House will have their vote diminished by what Republicans are doing elsewhere in the country.—
Eric H. Holder Jr,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Eco effort LightStay, Hilton’s award-winning environmental and social impact platform, rigorously tracks and manages energy use, water consumption, waste reduction, and community impact.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Feb. 2026
-
An obvious target would be to have the state pick up the costs of its unfunded mandate to require a reduction in class size in New York City.—
Paul Francis,
New York Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Pielmeier expects the conditions to subside in much of Switzerland over the course of next week, once the new snow has stabilized, except in the south of the country where less snow has fallen.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
While tensions over Greenland have subsided for now, the infighting has seriously undercut the ability of the world’s biggest security alliance to deter adversaries.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The fiscal angst is most obvious in urban school districts, where enrollment declines are most severe and where unions are the strongest, often spending heavily to elect friendly school board members.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Various projections have predicted a long-term decline of Wisconsin's population.—
Maia Pandey,
jsonline.com,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The Tigers, particularly Mark Mitchell, put in a strong effort but fell short in Fayetteville, Arkansas, in a 94-86 loss.—
Maddie Hartley,
Kansas City Star,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Pielmeier expects the conditions to subside in much of Switzerland over the course of next week, once the new snow has stabilized, except in the south of the country where less snow has fallen.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
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Some centers, like Brook Lopez at his peak with the Milwaukee Bucks or Ivica Zubac before his trade from the LA Clippers, tend to do their work quietly with stout positional defense in drop coverage and strong verticality while taking up an immense amount of space.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His message to insurers is that his company can save costs in an overwhelmed health care system by identifying early whose anxieties can be eased with an app and who needs professional help.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
20 Feb. 2026
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Whether the amnesty ultimately eases tensions or deepens divisions may depend on how broadly it is applied — and whether excluded prisoners eventually receive relief.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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