decline 1 of 2

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as in to plunge
to lead or extend downward the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decline

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word decline different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decline are refuse, reject, repudiate, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When might refuse be a better fit than decline?

While in some cases nearly identical to decline, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

When would reject be a good substitute for decline?

The words reject and decline can be used in similar contexts, but reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When is it sensible to use repudiate instead of decline?

The synonyms repudiate and decline are sometimes interchangeable, but repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

Where would spurn be a reasonable alternative to decline?

While the synonyms spurn and decline are close in meaning, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

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 decline
Verb
As labor’s share of the economy declined, so too did the institutional trust and shared social values that underpin democratic life. Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025 Trust in period-tracking apps declined further after Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade over concerns the data could be used to prosecute abortions in certain states, according to the FTC. Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 11 July 2025
Noun
In fact, the decline of apex scavengers can sometimes facilitate a boom in smaller scavengers, Sonawane explains. Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 July 2025 Piacenza observed a slight decline in China and stagnation in Japan. Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 11 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
  • The Yankees’ lineup, meanwhile, didn’t put up a fight against Spencer Strider, who refused to surrender a run, walked three and struck out eight over six innings.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025
  • Bondi earlier this week refused to answer questions from reporters about the Epstein files.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2025
Verb
  • So with his conviction and prison stay, Larson was denied access.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • The Enquirer was denied these records on the grounds that complaints of educator misconduct that have resulted in an investigation are not deemed public until the board has taken final action on the case.
    Annie Goldman, The Enquirer, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • In my view, providers that fail to modernize risk falling behind.
    Matt Watson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • More aggressive treatment options Advertisement In particularly severe cases—especially when someone has an underlying autoimmune disease—OTC eye drops and lifestyle modifications will likely fall short.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • While the fintech company presents a mixed investment profile with strong balance sheet metrics offset by deteriorating growth and profitability challenges, the index inclusion provides near-term support for a stock that has demonstrated extreme volatility lately.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • The rallies are borne of a deep dissatisfaction with the state of the economy, the deteriorating quality of public services, the administration’s overzealous approach to taxation, and police brutality.
    Ken Opalo, semafor.com, 21 July 2025
Verb
  • This would decrease in the following months to reach a low of 41 percent in April.
    Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • Older people may have decreased appetites or struggle to shop for food and prepare meals.
    Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
Verb
  • Khloé Kardashian is spotted wearing a brown outfit with a plunging neckline and a chunky silver necklace while enjoying dinner in Malibu with Kris Jenner (not pictured).
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.
    Nidal al-Mughrabi, USA Today, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • With deterioration continuing, a 2014 study recommended the entire span be replaced.
    Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Corrosion is one of the leading causes of conventional RC infrastructure deterioration, often requiring extensive repairs and maintenance.
    Carol Cain, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.
    Lisa Zornberg, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • The changing declination also defines the daily arc that the sun takes across the sky, thereby accounting for the length of daylight.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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