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
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
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
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
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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