1
as in decline
a change to a lower state or level
there's been a declination in basic civility in our society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
congressional declinations of cabinet appointments have been relatively infrequent, most senators believing that the president is entitled to pick his own advisors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 declination
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
Nachmanoff pressed the Justice Department over whether a formal declination memo deciding against charges for Comey exists.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Nov. 2025
Jupiter is currently situated against the stars of Gemini the Twins where the ecliptic — the apparent path of the sun, moon and planets — comes farthest north, at +23 degrees declination.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Presenting their findings in a lengthy declination memo, the prosecutors explicitly mentioned the two other investigations to bolster their recommendation that probable cause does not exist to charge Comey, according to sources familiar with the contents of the memo.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for declination
Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Nachmanoff pressed the Justice Department over whether a formal declination memo deciding against charges for Comey exists.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 19 Nov. 2025
Jupiter is currently situated against the stars of Gemini the Twins where the ecliptic — the apparent path of the sun, moon and planets — comes farthest north, at +23 degrees declination.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Presenting their findings in a lengthy declination memo, the prosecutors explicitly mentioned the two other investigations to bolster their recommendation that probable cause does not exist to charge Comey, according to sources familiar with the contents of the memo.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for declination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declination
Noun
-
SoftBank Group dropped over 10% amid a broader decline in Asia tech stocks.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
Consistent short sleep, however, has been linked to measurable declines in cognitive performance and day-to-day functioning, while chronic sleep deprivation is associated with more serious long-term health risks.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
In a city where more than 145 languages are spoken, and every neighborhood carries the flavors of somewhere else, the drinking scene reflects that same refusal to be pinned down.—
Carrie Honaker,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 June 2026
-
But his refusal to put anything in writing, and the president's continued praise for the plan, have made some senators skeptical.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
The global public square has been getting coarser for years, and social media has played a big part in the deterioration.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
1 June 2026
-
The damage required removal of the affected portion in hopes of preventing further deterioration.—
Brian Unger,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
New relationships will inevitably open up old wounds like abandonment and rejection.—
Sabrina Romanoff,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
-
Demie worked closely with the show’s makeup and wardrobe stylists to craft Maddy’s look, helping the character evolve from someone obsessed with being the perfect girlfriend in the first half of Season 1, to a bolder, hyper-feminine rejection of the softness her boyfriend had expected of her.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
For millennia, glacial ice and freezing temperatures protected Ötzi’s body — and microbes — from degradation and decay.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
8 June 2026
-
Researchers also confirmed the antenna could split beams between multiple users with minimal signal degradation.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Now after the denial of DeMore, the Parole Board still does not have a member with a prosecutorial background.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
7 June 2026
-
Friedkin, who died in 2023 and is seen only in archival interviews, now seems disingenuous in some of his denials that the film was exploitative, especially with regard to the murder that inspired it.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Both of his parents are of Italian descent, with family lineages originating in the Calabria region of southern Italy.—
Hanna Wickes,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 June 2026
-
Why Stanley Tucci Is Synonymous With Italy Both of Tucci’s parents are of Italian descent, with family lineages originating in the Calabria region of southern Italy.—
Hanna Wickes,
Sacbee.com,
8 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Declination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declination. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
