as in bowing
bending downward or forward
we awaited our punishment with declined heads
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in refused
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denied
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in fell
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deteriorated
to become worse or of less value
his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in decreased
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in plunged
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of declined
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
The driver of the pickup suffered minor injuries and declined the offer to be transported to a nearby hospital.
—
Cbs Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
The White House has declined to comment on Sheinbaum’s criticism.
—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
While Michaud declined to name the owner for privacy reasons, property records and reports link the seaside estate with a prominent television broadcast executive and newspaper owner.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 June 2026
The National Labor Relations Board declined jurisdiction on narrow grounds, warning that allowing one private-school team to unionize while most FBS programs were public universities could create instability.
—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Netflix declined to comment on Banks’ suit when contacted by Deadline.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Anthropic declined to comment beyond its blog post.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
13 June 2026
Verb
The Dadar Parsi Colony Gymkhana declined to comment because the matter is before the courts.
—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
Starmer's popularity has also declined amid a persistently high cost of living, sluggish economic growth and criticism over his acceptance of gifts from wealthy donors.
—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
21 June 2026
The driver of the pickup suffered minor injuries and declined the offer to be transported to a nearby hospital.
—
Cbs Baltimore Staff,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
The White House has declined to comment on Sheinbaum’s criticism.
—
Kate Linthicum,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
While Michaud declined to name the owner for privacy reasons, property records and reports link the seaside estate with a prominent television broadcast executive and newspaper owner.
—
Abby Montanez,
Robb Report,
20 June 2026
The National Labor Relations Board declined jurisdiction on narrow grounds, warning that allowing one private-school team to unionize while most FBS programs were public universities could create instability.
—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 June 2026
Netflix declined to comment on Banks’ suit when contacted by Deadline.
—
Natalie Oganesyan,
Deadline,
13 June 2026
Anthropic declined to comment beyond its blog post.
—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
13 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declined
Adjective
-
James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.
Verb
-
It was flatly refused by the Newsom administration.
-
When Randazzo refused, Holston shot him in the back of the head.
Verb
-
Then multiple states filed lawsuits alleging the agency failed to conduct proper environmental reviews, which DHS denied.
-
The band had been denied the opportunity to perform during Haiti’s pre-World Cup friendly against Peru, despite the presence of a Peruvian band.
Verb
-
The most dangerous situation appeared to be on Barrington Avenue, west of East Dundee Village Hall, where a light, a utility pole and part of a parkway tree were felled by strong winds, leaving power lines dangling across the road.
-
John Adams famously wrote to his wife, Abigail, that smallpox was killing 10 soldiers for every one felled in battle.
Verb
-
The Downfall and Freefall documentaries argue that Boeing’s company culture deteriorated as company execs prioritized profits and a rising share price over safety.
-
By 2024, his health had deteriorated to the point of requiring continuous oxygen, leading to his evaluation for a groundbreaking dual-organ transplant under the HOPE Act.
Verb
-
In March, a nurse assessed Parias for complaints of increasing pain, and the nurse noted decreased mobility, prompting the nurse to submit a referral for an orthopedic evaluation, as well as additional medications.
-
This year, a census report compiled by Nutmeg Consulting found that the homeless sheltered population increased by around 17%, while the number of people living outside decreased by almost 50%.
Verb
-
The importance of that relationship became clear in 2025, when live cattle imports plunged by more than 50%.
-
Oil stockpiles at the critical oil hub of Cushing, Oklahoma, have plunged to the bare minimum of what is needed to operate.
Adjective
-
With bowed heads, friends and classmates wrapped their arms around each other.
-
Instead of your standard dress shoes, Styles finished the look with a perfect pair of minty-green ballet flats with bowed laces.
Cite this Entry
“Declined.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declined. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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