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

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Relevance

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as in denies

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

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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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as in deteriorates

to become worse or of less value his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death

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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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as in plunges

to lead or extend downward the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles

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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

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as in dips

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

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as in demises

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

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as in reductions

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

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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

Indeed, in her devotion to sparkle, Pechman declines to probe too deeply into any of the industry’s more hurtful or exploitative dimensions. — Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 20 Sep. 2026 At the same time, some longtime communities have seen Latino population declines, including Logan Square, Avondale, Albany Park, Irving Park and Pilsen. — Allison Kiehl, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026 The benefit declines steadily with each additional year of delay. — Thibault Adrien, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026 New local agencies became responsible for halting chronic groundwater declines. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Club portfolio director Jeff Marks said Wednesday's market declines after central bankers hiked interest rates and Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh talked tough on inflation were due to worries about the possibility of another rate increase this year. — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026 As attendance at churches and civic clubs declines, Americans are left feeling isolated. — Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026 In that way, if few others, Nelson declines to tip the scales. — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Sep. 2026 Bones Women are at greater risk of developing osteoporosis because bone density declines with age. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

Great Mountain Forest in Norfolk and Canaan, one of the largest conservation easements in the Northeast, is calling for volunteers to help support native forest bees as pollinators continue to see declines in their population. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026 This individual can map the demographic trends across neighborhoods and help systems make enrollment zoning decisions that can shift zones or consolidate to nearby schools as enrollment declines. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2026 Swipe fatigue Partly to blame for these declines may be swipe fatigue. — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026 Consumer staples was the only sector in the red, pulled lower by declines in Walmart , Club name Costco and Philip Morris International . — Alexa Lomonaco,kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026 Those declines followed another significant drop in 2025, when CMPD reported violent crime fell 21% and overall crime fell 9%. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2026 The steepest declines came from clothes washers, toilets and faucets. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 Sep. 2026 Add to that reporting on low click-through rates from ChatGPT search results and news organizations’ own reporting on traffic declines. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 2026 According to Zoo Atlanta, the number of wild western lowland gorillas has declined by 60%, with some areas seeing declines of as much as 90%. — Dan Raby, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines

Verb

Mortality hangs over Tender Loving Care, but Leigh refuses to wallow in it.

— Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 19 Sep. 2026
The only thing Dudamel refuses to deliver that the audience clearly craves is a solo bow.

— Justin Davidson, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of refuses

Verb

United Nations experts, the United States and Congo's government have in the past accused Rwanda of profiting off Congo’s minerals in exchange for its support to the rebels, which Rwanda denies.

— ABC News, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2026
Because the therapy is off-label, insurance routinely denies coverage, forcing clinicians and patients to improvise — a frustration that Dombo experienced firsthand.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

Saccharide is a carbohydrate made of sugars, and the Aries season falls between late March and early April.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Companies should examine the economics more closely when a category of loss occurs regularly, remains relatively stable and falls within an amount the organization can comfortably absorb.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

Authorities expect that 10% to 15% of remaining residents might leave for the winter months, Tolokonnikov added, perhaps more if the situation deteriorates further.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026
Production volumes may remain high over a short period, even as supply security deteriorates.

— Kari Stoever, Footwear News, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorates

Noun

In This Article From fun, quirky dips to sweet, tangy cake frostings and cheesecakes to cheesy sausage balls, cream cheese runs the gamut from sweet to savory Southern recipes.

— Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 2026
The park remains a community fixture, however, where people host children’s birthday parties, take lake dips and picnic, all under the shade of the ancient trees.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026