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
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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
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of decline
Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
The new pipeline will ease pressure on the local aquifer, which has been declining at a rate of about two feet per year in some areas, according to Wilson.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Gardner was outstanding in his first couple of years in the league, but showed blatant signs of decline last season.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
The man's identity has not been released, and authorities declined to comment on the homicide investigation that led to his warrant.
—Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 6 Nov. 2025
The new pipeline will ease pressure on the local aquifer, which has been declining at a rate of about two feet per year in some areas, according to Wilson.
—Austin Corona, AZCentral.com, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
But Detroit, long a majority Black city, has seen its Black population has decline.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN Money, 5 Nov. 2025
Gardner was outstanding in his first couple of years in the league, but showed blatant signs of decline last season.
—Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
The world’s diplomats must refuse to seat or recognise Min Aung Hlaing or his representatives at any summit or ministerial meeting.—
Kim Aris,
Time,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Some of the girls were hired as servants in the homes of higher-status Burghers, though Rustin refused on principle to consider it.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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His latest appeal was denied for review by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in May 2025, at which time Zellner announced her intent to file a petition in federal court, per the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.—
Nicole Briese,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Earlier this month, Ted Cruz said that more than 50,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria since 2009, a claim the Nigerian government denies.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And King Priam, at great personal risk, shows up with a ransom and falls on his knees and clasps Achilles’ hand.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Nov. 2025
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As Semafor previously reported, many inside the magazine were excited by Guiducci’s arrival, believing the old Vanity Fair was moving too slowly, had fallen too far outside the zeitgeist, and had lost some of its sheen.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Residents should also remain alert to rapidly changing forecasts, as conditions may deteriorate quickly.—
Amanda Greenwood,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Grace appears dazed when others pick up on her ache, and takes a perverse pleasure in Jackson’s struggle to deal with her deteriorating mental health.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
When nighttime temperatures consistently stay below 70°F in the South, the grass growth rate significantly decreases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint mobility.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Take soybeans, a key American export that saw Chinese purchases plunge this year over trade frictions.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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Newell Brands — The Rubbermaid and Sharpie maker plunged 28% after its quarterly results and forecast disappointed.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Some of it is also related to the age and deterioration of much of the grid, which now requires rebuilding.—
Tom Rogers,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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The deterioration in the labor market has been concentrated in payroll employment, which is the [datapoint] that is the most susceptible to demographic and immigration changes.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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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
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On those three dates, variations in the moon's position relative to Earth's equator — particularly its declination — can influence tidal forces that subtly affect Earth's rotation rate.—
Jamie Carter,
Space.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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