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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decrease
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Violent crime in Chicago has dropped significantly in the first half of the year, according to official data released by the city, with shootings down 37% and homicides decreasing by 32% compared to the first half of 2024, according to crime statistics.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
The brakes are upgraded, too, with carbon ceramic brakes delivering a decrease in weight and better stopping power.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Verb
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2025
Violent crime in Chicago has dropped significantly in the first half of the year, according to official data released by the city, with shootings down 37% and homicides decreasing by 32% compared to the first half of 2024, according to crime statistics.
—Megan Forrester, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
The latest warning comes just months after Eric Hoplin, president & CEO of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, told CNBC there have been decreases as high as 60% in orders from brick-and-mortar retailers and local hardware stores.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2025
The brakes are upgraded, too, with carbon ceramic brakes delivering a decrease in weight and better stopping power.
—Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
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Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Their patches of habitat and their water sources are diminishing; their feeding timeline has grown increasingly erratic, and more barricades are being built all the time, limiting their freedom of movement.—
Ganesh Marín,
The Dial,
7 Oct. 2025
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And another sign the perception is of a Panthers team diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sony’s Ohama, however, hinted that the RGB’s foundation in the LED architecture that sets have used for backlighting for the past 15 or so years might allow for cost reductions over time.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Ember report also indicated a modest decline in global power sector emissions, down by 12 million tonnes of CO₂, largely due to reductions in China and India.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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There was some concern about Mayfield’s status for the Bucs’ Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but those worries were likely subsided after Mayfield was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The annexation question appeared to subside for a time afterwards.—
Paula Newton,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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According to Hanke, Milei’s big loss in the Buenos Aires contest and the acceleration in the peso’s decline confirmed the Money Doctor’s warning that the inevitable lure for mismanaging the peso was Milei’s Achilles’ heel.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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But Burke expects that public schools will see dramatic enrollment declines fueled by both demographic and policy changes.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zay Flowers, who finished with a receiving line of 5-for-72, fell a yard short of a long TD on a 56-yard gain.—
Michael Salfino,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
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City administrator echoes points other municipalities have stated Brown presented a series of slides and data pieces that, among other facts, showed the city has lagged further behind in terms of property revenue increases falling short of 3% inflation on existing services on average.—
Jim Riccioli,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Watering too often, not often enough, at lower ambient temperatures, and late in the day can lead to plant diseases, leaf drop, or an explosion of harmful pests.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
9 Oct. 2025
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Queens saw enrollment drop 13% between fall 2024 and fall 2025 and had over $104 million in outstanding debt at the end of the 2024 fiscal year.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The agency recently announced a plan to ease regulations on climate pollutants known as hydrofluorocarbons.—
Sharon Lerner,
ProPublica,
10 Oct. 2025
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That Israel and Hamas have agreed the first phase of a Gaza peace plan in the last 48 hours is unlikely to significantly ease that tension.—
Philip Buckingham,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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