1
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
2
as in denies
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in falls
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
5
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
6
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
1
as in deteriorations
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dips
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
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3
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
4
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
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Recent Examples of declines
Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
As access declines, downstream complications and costs will rise.
—Diego Schaps, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
The dorado's route is now threatened by hydropower dams and river fragmentation, which block the fish from reaching their breeding sites and cause steep population declines.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Jeannot is not wired to jump anybody who declines an invitation.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Six out of the 10 top richest people in the world have experienced wealth declines between $30 and $60 billion this calendar year, totalling over $255 billion.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
One person with knowledge of the process said the PGA of America has a backup plan of four potential candidates for the Ryder Cup committee to review if Woods declines — or if the PGA of America moves on.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
When water quality declines, local businesses suffer first, from charter operators to restaurants and hotels.
—Steve Adelstein, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
If Maryland declines, those opportunities will exist elsewhere.
—Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2026
Jeffrey Selingo, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
However, the brand has seen month-on-month declines in sales since September 2025, pointing to weakening momentum in its core NEV lineup.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, issued a detailed breakdown of reductions in oil production and output, linking the declines to damage sustained at key energy sites during the conflict.
—Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
While the stabbings caused concern, New York City has continued to see declines in violent crimes, according to NYPD data.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Current conditions and expectations indexes also saw double-digit monthly declines.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Venture capitalists nearly doubled their spending on new US university spinoffs in 2025 to $690 million after three years of declines, PitchBook data show.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The top drivers of pollinator declines are considered to be land use – the spread of cities and agriculture, as well as the way land is managed – along with rising temperatures, extreme weather and pesticide use.
—Andony Melathopoulos, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Most of the severe declines happened in rural areas, although urban counties like San Francisco and Los Angeles also saw decreases.
—Kristen Hwang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
If the tech sector declines, the resulting drawdown can significantly reduce your base for withdrawals—at a point when there may be little time to recover.
—Doug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
As access declines, downstream complications and costs will rise.
—Diego Schaps, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026
The dorado's route is now threatened by hydropower dams and river fragmentation, which block the fish from reaching their breeding sites and cause steep population declines.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Jeannot is not wired to jump anybody who declines an invitation.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Six out of the 10 top richest people in the world have experienced wealth declines between $30 and $60 billion this calendar year, totalling over $255 billion.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
One person with knowledge of the process said the PGA of America has a backup plan of four potential candidates for the Ryder Cup committee to review if Woods declines — or if the PGA of America moves on.
—CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
When water quality declines, local businesses suffer first, from charter operators to restaurants and hotels.
—Steve Adelstein, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026
If Maryland declines, those opportunities will exist elsewhere.
—Claudia Nachtigal, Baltimore Sun, 27 Mar. 2026
Noun
The Northeast and the Midwest have the highest density of college campuses but will also see some of the biggest declines in the number of high-school graduates by the 2040s.
—Jeffrey Selingo, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2026
However, the brand has seen month-on-month declines in sales since September 2025, pointing to weakening momentum in its core NEV lineup.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 12 Apr. 2026
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, issued a detailed breakdown of reductions in oil production and output, linking the declines to damage sustained at key energy sites during the conflict.
—Dalia Abdelwahab, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026
While the stabbings caused concern, New York City has continued to see declines in violent crimes, according to NYPD data.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
Current conditions and expectations indexes also saw double-digit monthly declines.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Venture capitalists nearly doubled their spending on new US university spinoffs in 2025 to $690 million after three years of declines, PitchBook data show.
—Rachyl Jones, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026
The top drivers of pollinator declines are considered to be land use – the spread of cities and agriculture, as well as the way land is managed – along with rising temperatures, extreme weather and pesticide use.
—Andony Melathopoulos, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2026
Most of the severe declines happened in rural areas, although urban counties like San Francisco and Los Angeles also saw decreases.
—Kristen Hwang, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines
Verb
-
Bose Bluetooth Speaker Deal The Bose SoundLink Flex is a rugged, high-fidelity speaker that refuses to quit.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In many areas, the tournament refuses to modernize, such as its prohibition of cell phones.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Husband of missing Michigan woman arrested in Bahamas; his attorney says Brian Hooker categorically denies wrongdoing in her disappearance.—
R.j. Rico,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Nine grandmothers, all in their nineties, staring down death without justice as a far-right Japanese government denies their history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Grapevine surges from behind, falls short Lake Creek provided most of the pressure early in the match, keeping the ball in Grapevine’s end and getting off six shots before the Mustangs started pressing in the 26th minute.—
Charles Baggarly & Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, once an aristocratic mansion, falls somewhere between the avant-garde works at the Reina Sofia and the traditional Spanish art at the Prado.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Despite his professional success, his home life deteriorates, particularly his relationship with his daughter.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
-
And as our credit deteriorates, borrowing gets more expensive, forcing us to borrow more to keep up, which worsens our credit further.—
Bill Conway,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Water is one of the best inclusions to have in a hardscape plan for its soothing sound that also improves the air quality by releasing negative ions in the air that decreases pollutants.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
7 Apr. 2026
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Guardians must protect the Legendary Silver Crystal when a battle erupts with a mysterious enemy during the Celestial Ball and plunges the Moon Palace into chaos.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
3 Apr. 2026
-
By day, the road between Presidio and Terlingua, through Big Bend Ranch State Park, curves along the river then climbs and plunges over steep hills.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Similar deteriorations took place in Tuscany and in Naples.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is a beach house in the plushest sense, with a hot tub overlooking the bay for warming up after dips in the crystal-clear sea (Dog’s Bay is a two-minute drive), and cozy robes, fluffy towels, and slippers provided by the hosts.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Even small dips in vaccination rates can lead to the spread of disease.—
Kar-Hai Chu,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Declines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declines. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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