1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
a noticeable declension of the fitness of the baseball players over the winter
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declination
a change to a lower state or level
a declension in her acting career from leading roles to cameos eventually
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in downhill
a downward slope
from this region to the seacoast there's a gentle declension of the landscape
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of declension
That’s the whole exhibition, and anyone who was expecting this to be a Netflix declension of the Degenerate Art Show, with poor patriarchal Picasso as ritualized scapegoat, can rest easy.
—
Jason Farago, New York Times, 1 June 2023
Haidt follows the same tired declension narrative that his rhetorical forebearers did.
—Vicki Phillips, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
One time, when Joyce was memorizing Latin declension, Bill Bradley of the Knicks took notice.
—Katherine Fitzgerald, The Arizona Republic, 18 July 2021
The same time span felt faster, like an explosion rather than like a declension.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 7 June 2021
Gender plays an integral role in many languages, from nouns assigned to a specific gender to adjectives changing their declensions based on the noun being described.
—Madhvi Ramani, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2018
Jason Farago, New York Times, 1 June 2023
Haidt follows the same tired declension narrative that his rhetorical forebearers did.
—Vicki Phillips, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023
One time, when Joyce was memorizing Latin declension, Bill Bradley of the Knicks took notice.
—Katherine Fitzgerald, The Arizona Republic, 18 July 2021
The same time span felt faster, like an explosion rather than like a declension.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 7 June 2021
Gender plays an integral role in many languages, from nouns assigned to a specific gender to adjectives changing their declensions based on the noun being described.
—Madhvi Ramani, Smithsonian, 28 Feb. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declension
Noun
-
Still, any miscalculation or direct confrontation at sea could tip the diplomatic posturing into rapid deterioration and risk jeopardizing the fragile stability in the detente between Washington and Beijing.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Toss any berries showing signs of deterioration.—
Jessica Farthing,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases.—
Ken B. Morales,
ProPublica,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Federal regulations require special counsels to provide the attorney general with a report that explain prosecution or declination decisions once their work is concluded.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Downs, 21, a 6-foot, 206-pound game wrecker, is an Alabama transfer who disrupts offenses consistently with a high football IQ and a downhill, violent play style.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Posting 21 points by halftime, Banchero was quick to find his spots with turnaround jumpers and aggressive downhill attacks that led to multiple trips to the free throw line.—
Jason Beede,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Democrats took the opportunity to grill Kennedy on the upsurge in vaccine-preventable diseases, such as measles, under his watch and the weakening of the childhood vaccine schedule.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
16 Apr. 2026
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The fact that weakening was observed at all four locations is significant, said Shane Elipot, a physical oceanographer at the University of Miami and a report author.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But researchers who study fertility trends say the decline is driven by forces that have little to do with contraception access and that restricting it is unlikely to produce more births.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Cities and towns around the state with large immigrant populations have seen steep enrollment declines over the last year, says the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, as families have been deported or voluntarily returned to their home countries amidst heightened anxiety.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Investors should use this time, then, to explore their fractional gold options, which will allow them to get invested at a cost-effective price, while still being able to exploit this likely temporary dip in prices.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
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An infinity pool anchors the home, overlooking the canopy and coastline, with an outdoor shower for a quick rinse after a dip in one of Tamarindo’s many stunning beaches.—
Angela Tafoya,
Vogue,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the blasting afternoon sun, the stench of fermenting earth and decay steams off the marsh.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Power from radioactive decay NRD claims the battery can deliver power outputs ranging from 5 nanowatts to 500 nanowatts.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Distractions are a major culprit of this degradation of learning, Horvath previously told Fortune, adding that refocusing attention after it’s been diverted takes time to recover.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
10 Apr. 2026
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Chief among the concerns that needed to be addressed were moisture degradation within the original interior finishes, general leaks and the conservation of doors and windows.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Declension.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declension. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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