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
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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
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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
Adeola Adeosun
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The Times’ proprietor, Patrick Soon-Shiong, now declines to support political candidates, a decision that conflicts with his community’s liberal constituency.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
This is due to general rate increases (GRIs) implemented by the carriers to kick off September to soften the blow of the capacity declines.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Fill those gaps and the need for emergency calories declines.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
As occupancy declines, attention turns to smaller retailers who may need relocation support, and larger anchors who often require tailored solutions.
—Kristin Mueller, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Men seem to be happiest when their wives’ income reaches about 40% of their own, and then their happiness declines beyond that threshold.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2025
But there are some optimistic signs—traffic dips and sales declines are slowing, per Restaurant Dive, and Starbucks’s China business is also improving.
—Molly Liebergall, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Statistical modeling linked these rising temperatures to a shift from seasonal increases to declines in insect abundance.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Similar declines in stop-arm violations have also been reported in Hillsborough County, with officials crediting the technology for helping to change driver behavior almost immediately.
—Buspatrol - A Mission-Driven Organization, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Even small declines in growth rates over time can cumulatively have large impacts on our incomes and standards of living – and the declines may not be so small.
—Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This research is notable for being one of the first long-term studies to quantify insect declines in a pristine environment relatively untouched by humans.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s the longest stretch of declines since 2020.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Such declines occurred 88% of the time following significant Fed actions.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
If the Supreme Court declines review, Hernandez would face retrial unless prosecutors decide not to pursue the case further.
—Adeola Adeosun
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The Times’ proprietor, Patrick Soon-Shiong, now declines to support political candidates, a decision that conflicts with his community’s liberal constituency.
—Peter Bart, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025
This is due to general rate increases (GRIs) implemented by the carriers to kick off September to soften the blow of the capacity declines.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Sep. 2025
Fill those gaps and the need for emergency calories declines.
—Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
As occupancy declines, attention turns to smaller retailers who may need relocation support, and larger anchors who often require tailored solutions.
—Kristin Mueller, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Bonnie Treichel, an attorney who specializes in ERISA, expects more firms to seize on private assets as the number of public companies declines and the private market grows.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Men seem to be happiest when their wives’ income reaches about 40% of their own, and then their happiness declines beyond that threshold.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
Kering has been dragged down by steep declines at its star brand and a bulging debt load, forcing the group to shutter stores, offload real estate and reduce headcount after a dismal start to the year that saw group net profit plummet 46 percent in the first half.
—Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2025
But there are some optimistic signs—traffic dips and sales declines are slowing, per Restaurant Dive, and Starbucks’s China business is also improving.
—Molly Liebergall, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Statistical modeling linked these rising temperatures to a shift from seasonal increases to declines in insect abundance.
—Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Similar declines in stop-arm violations have also been reported in Hillsborough County, with officials crediting the technology for helping to change driver behavior almost immediately.
—Buspatrol - A Mission-Driven Organization, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
Even small declines in growth rates over time can cumulatively have large impacts on our incomes and standards of living – and the declines may not be so small.
—Harry Holzer, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
This research is notable for being one of the first long-term studies to quantify insect declines in a pristine environment relatively untouched by humans.
—Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s the longest stretch of declines since 2020.
—Bloomberg News, Boston Herald, 6 Sep. 2025
Such declines occurred 88% of the time following significant Fed actions.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 5 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines
Verb
-
Although many philosophers and theologians accept mortality as an inevitable and indeed defining feature of human existence, Kurzweil refuses to accept this line of thinking.—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Dusk refuses, choosing ruin instead.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trump denies any involvement in the note.—
Lauren Villagran,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Cook, who denies any wrongdoing, is he first Black female Fed governor.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Fall foliage appears when leaves change from green to yellow, orange, and red, then falls from the trees, said Brandon Fuller, a doctoral candidate and lecturer in the biology department at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
14 Sep. 2025
-
If the neighbor is smoking weed on private property doesn’t belong to them or their neighbor, Rosenthal said the responsibility to take action falls on the landlord.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
14 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Remodels stall, menu updates fall flat, and guest experience deteriorates.—
Jim Osman,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
This means green signals are inherently weaker, and when outdoor sunlight adds noise, the measurement range shrinks even further, and accuracy deteriorates.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
But if your branding was clearer, stronger and more emotionally resonant, your LTV could be double, while your CAC decreases.—
Erik Huberman,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Johnston said his budget plans for zero overall growth in revenue and added that unless Denver's income actually decreases, there won't be any more layoffs next year.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Regardless, that slight is the last thing Prater hears before Dexter plunges a knife into his heart.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Their investigation plunges them into the shadowy corners of New York and beyond—where the trio uncovers a dangerous web of secrets connecting powerful billionaires, old-school mobsters, and the mysterious residents of the Arconia.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
1 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Some common examples include push-ups, bench presses, chest presses and dips.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
13 Sep. 2025
-
An adjacent storefront will eventually be stocked with wine, home goods and take-home versions of their dishes, such as pimento cheese and smoked catfish dips.—
Miguel Otárola,
Denver Post,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The mission, the fourth of 2025, would also be Starship's first flight since May 27 amid a year plagued by explosive demises for the vehicle.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
-
But a good time in enviable vacation spots is guaranteed, with ghoulish demises for many principal figures here served up like caviar on sashimi.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Declines.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declines. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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