1
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
he declined the invitation to the party she declined to participate in the soccer game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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2
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
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3
as in to fall
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
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4
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death
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5
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes
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6
as in to plunge
to lead or extend downward
the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles
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1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
her sad decline from a robust athlete to an old woman with arthritis
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2
as in declination
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
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3
as in downhill
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
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4
as in demise
a loss of status
the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline
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5
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of decline
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Cases in which prosecutors declined to file charges because of self-defense, lack of evidence or other legal determinations were excluded.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
Additionally, Blanton Elementary has also seen a decline in enrollment.
—Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
This is a team that declined to sell multiple assets, like Pius Suter and Brock Boeser, at the trade deadline less than 12 months ago.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026
Cases in which prosecutors declined to file charges because of self-defense, lack of evidence or other legal determinations were excluded.
—Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Noun
While stocks bucked expectations for a decline, other asset classes showed evidence that investors were taking note of the investigation.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026
Additionally, Blanton Elementary has also seen a decline in enrollment.
—Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
According to the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched in November to a residence in the Linville community of Marion after a caller reported a neighbor standing in their driveway screaming and refusing to leave the property despite having been warned previously.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Some exemptions for law enforcement agencies exist, but Cal-OSHA claims the sheriff’s office refused to prove its exemption, according to court documents.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
He was charged with first-degree murder but denied any involvement.—
Caroline Blair,
PEOPLE,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Squeeze Burger announced Tuesday that its sole remaining brick-and-mortar in Roseville is set to close later this month, after its proposal for a new lease was reportedly denied.—
Camila Pedrosa,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The 1971 Vikings were the other team, and Minnesota wound up falling at home to Dallas in its initial playoff contest.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
13 Jan. 2026
-
In witness footage shared by the police, the paraglider is seen falling from the sky with a faulty parachute and spiraling quickly towards the waters below, before smashing into the ocean in front of horrified beachgoers.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Soon, the retailer lacked an adequate assortment to drive sales, leading the situation to deteriorate.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,
CNBC,
15 Jan. 2026
-
After a day of testing and her health deteriorating, doctors ultimately determined that Gorman was suffering a spinal stroke.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Newsom claims homelessness decline Newsom during his final State of the State address Thursday claimed the state’s homeless population decreased last year.—
Theresa Clift,
Sacbee.com,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Meanwhile, the number of job openings have decreased nearly 10% on the year to 729,000 in the September to November period from a year ago, the ONS found.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
With Chalamet — who won a Critics Choice award for Best Actor and sweetly nodded to Jenner in his acceptance speech — in a pinstripe Givenchy suit, Jenner matched her man's vibe in a black chainmail Versace gown with a plunging neckline and lace insets on the sides.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Roberts gave her new hair color the spotlight, wearing a simple plunging black gown with three-quarter-length sleeves.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Footage of the bunker’s deterioration has attracted global attention after Robinson and Charlton began posting videos online.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
It is intended to slow the deterioration of streets that currently are in good condition, which is considered vital to improving the overall condition of San Diego’s network of roads, according to the city.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Nachmanoff pressed the Justice Department over whether a formal declination memo deciding against charges for Comey exists.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
19 Nov. 2025
-
McLaughlin characterized the Fullerton officer’s response as a declination to help.—
Sierra van der Brug,
Oc Register,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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