Synonyms of declination

declination

noun

ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shən 

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

• decline
• deterioration
• degradation
• descent
• decrease
• eclipse
• downfall
• decadence
• fall
• ebb
• reduction
• declension
• degeneracy
• devolution
• destruction
• degeneration
• downgrade
• drop
• dissolution
• decay
• dégringolade
• sunset
• decomposition
• loss
• nadir
• breakup
• disintegration
• dip
• dark age
• depreciation
• slump
• abasement
• debasement
• diminution
• crumbling
• lowering
• falloff
• shrinkage
• rotting
• spoiling
• lessening
• decrement
• sag
• decimation
• diminishment
• ruination
• downturn
• deflation
• abatement
• demolition
• ruin
• havoc
• slip
• downtrend
• drop-off
• desolation
• demolishment
• downslide
• de-escalation

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rise
• development
• growth
• evolution
• ascent
• advancement
• upswing
• renewal
• flowering
• increase
• restoration
• revitalization
• enhancement
• addition
• increment
• gain
• augmentation
• blossoming
• accrual
• flourishing
• accretion
• boost
• raise
• supplement
• heightening
• addendum

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

• refusal
• rejection
• denial
• nonacceptance
• no
• disallowance
• turndown
• nay
• suppression
• injunction
• repudiation
• rebuff
• veto
• repulse
• spurn
• repression
• discouragement
• negative
• ban
• deterrence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approval
• grant
• allowance
• agreement
• acceptance
• consent
• sanction
• clearance
• permission
• license
• authorization
• assent
• concurrence
• accession
• acquiescence
• leave
• signature
• OK
• seal
• stamp
• sufferance
• imprimatur

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of declination

The declinations came as the DOJ reassigned and cut prosecutors working on environmental cases. — Ken B. Morales, ProPublica, 31 Mar. 2026

Of the 395 complaints the division received, 306 were resolved through determinations or declinations. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 9 Feb. 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

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