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
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
The public prosecutor’s office declined to comment on the case when reached by CNN.
—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
The family declined an interview.
—
Daniel De Visé,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
Earlier this month, S&P Dow Jones Indices declined to create a similar fast-track process for the S&P 500.
—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 June 2026
Hammer denied the allegations, and after a lengthy investigation, Los Angeles prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against him in 2023.
—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2026
Some states that declined the invite had other organizations step in on their behalf.
—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
27 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
Verb
District officials declined to provide the correspondence with Carvalho, instead assigning the request to the district’s Public Records Act unit, where some requests for records have taken years to resolve.
—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
28 June 2026
The public prosecutor’s office declined to comment on the case when reached by CNN.
—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
28 June 2026
The family declined an interview.
—
Daniel De Visé,
USA Today,
28 June 2026
Earlier this month, S&P Dow Jones Indices declined to create a similar fast-track process for the S&P 500.
—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
27 June 2026
Hammer denied the allegations, and after a lengthy investigation, Los Angeles prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against him in 2023.
—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
27 June 2026
Some states that declined the invite had other organizations step in on their behalf.
—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
27 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
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
-
Air support also was grounded the previous afternoon as conditions deteriorated.
-
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated since armed groups took control of most of Port-au-Prince in 2024.
Verb
-
Nearly everyone who has died is believed to be 65 years old or older, because of their more limited ability to cool themselves down due to poor blood flow and decreased ability to sweat.
-
According to the Office of the State's Attorney for Harford County, Gaeta drove 371 feet during those 5 seconds and only decreased speed from 53mph to 47mph.
Verb
-
Yves Seguy, the regional prefect, told BFM the aircraft plunged vertically to the ground.
-
On the eve of the 2024 Summer Olympics, hosted by Paris, a wetsuited Hidalgo had plunged herself into the Seine.
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 30 Jun. 2026.
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