Thesaurus

decline

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

verb

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Synonyms & Antonyms of decline

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 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 for decline

Words Related to decline

overrule,
veto

dismiss,
ignore

stick

Phrases Synonymous with decline

turn one's back on

Near Antonyms for decline

espouse,
support

Antonyms for decline

2 to be unwilling to grant

declined our request to hold a party

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

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Antonyms for decline

3 to go to a lower level especially abruptly

new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

recede,
retreat

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Antonyms for decline

4 to become worse or of less value

his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

sour,
spoil

Phrases Synonymous with decline

Near Antonyms for decline

better,
upgrade

Antonyms for decline

5 to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

alleviate,
relax

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Antonyms for decline

6 to lead or extend downward

the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

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Antonyms for decline

decline

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of decline (Entry 2 of 2)

1 a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body

her sad decline from a robust athlete to an old woman with arthritis

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

atrophy

exhaustion

Near Antonyms for decline

progress

Antonyms for decline

2 a change to a lower state or level

the decline of the Roman Empire

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

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heightening

Antonyms for decline

3 a downward slope

the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline

Synonyms for decline

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Antonyms for decline

4 a loss of status

the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

bottom,
nadir

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Antonyms for decline

5 the amount by which something is lessened

a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned

Synonyms for decline

Words Related to decline

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Antonyms for decline

Frequently Asked Questions About decline

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