DECLINES Synonyms: 418 Similar and Opposite Words

declines 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of decline

as in refuses

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in denies

to be unwilling to grant declined our request to hold a party

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in falls

to go to a lower level especially abruptly new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in deteriorates

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

as in decreases

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

as in plunges

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

declines

2 of 2

noun

plural of decline

as in deteriorations

a change to a lower state or level the decline of the Roman Empire

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dips

a downward slope the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in demises

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reductions

the amount by which something is lessened a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of declines

Verb

The fee applies during the first 13 years of the agreement and gradually declines over the remaining initial term. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026 Recent findings show that early-career workers – ages 22 to 25 – in occupations most vulnerable to AI automation, such as software development and customer service, have experienced employment declines. — Maria Black, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Across Illinois and the nation, hospitals have been closing inpatient pediatric units and shuttering high-acuity Level 1 facilities as reimbursement declines. — Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Reuters ' analysis of the poll found that declines in support for the war were driven by Republicans turning against the war. — James Powel, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Every other Swift collection on the roster declines this frame. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Rent declines from a year ago are concentrated in the South and Mountain West regions. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Building blocks under strain State and local policies may also have played a role in childcare enrollment declines. — Will Hammann, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 Understand that viewership already declines considerably when both are absent. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Meanwhile, El Palacio de Hierro in Mexico has redirected part of its open-to-buy to affordable luxury and entry price points to offset declines at the higher end. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 6 Sep. 2026 The gains came largely from a rebound in leisure and hospitality and local government, after declines in both over the summer. — Jake Angelo, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The Low-Literacy Default Global data shows clear declines in functional literacy and critical thinking skills, a trend that tech platforms are actively capitalizing on. — New Atlas, 4 Sep. 2026 That represents one of the largest percentage declines in the nation, according to an NPR analysis earlier this year. — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, gains in technology stocks helped limit declines in other sectors Friday. — Alex Veiga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 Aggregate productivity can improve while quality declines in particular cases. — Michael Tyrimos, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026 But in the information sector, job declines might signal effects of artificial intelligence. — Laurent Belsie, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026 Larger coupon payments now provide a cushion against further price declines, unlike the low-yield environment earlier this decade. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines

Verb

But Buddy, the feature debut of Casper Kelly, lets the genre’s relentlessly upbeat tone slowly curdle in the opening sequence, in which one of the kids refuses to play along with day’s lesson about being brave and trying new things.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
With his final book, however, Morris refuses to draw conclusions, letting the ambiguity of Surrealists’ meanings stand.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuses

Verb

In the lawsuit, Kupsh acknowledges attending most of the demonstrations but denies being a ringleader, blocking anyone from campus walkways or refusing orders.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Meta denies these claims, asserting human decisions guide workforce management.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

The company says its reactor’s electrical output falls within the range of a high-performance vehicle drivetrain.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
If Colorado’s 2027 first-round pick is not transferred to the Toronto Maple Leafs or if its 2028 first-round pick falls within the top 10, Nashville instead gets Colorado’s 2029 first-round pick.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

Fertility in women decreases gradually but significantly at age 32 and rapidly after 37, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
While passengers often remain seated for hours at a time, crew spend the majority of the flight on their feet, which decreases their chances of stiffness.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026