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

Badgett added that vitamin D production may also decrease as kidney function declines with age, especially in older adults with chronic kidney disease. —

Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2026 The estrogen hormone naturally declines with age and when levels drop during menopause, symptoms can surge. —

Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 23 Feb. 2026 Studies have also found that calcium absorption declines as well, though the difference isn’t always statistically significant. —

Caroline Tien, SELF, 20 Feb. 2026 Examination of ovaries suggests low reproductive capacity, meaning the species may not bounce back quickly from population declines. —

Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026 Campillo didn’t ultimately go that far, instead choosing to require an economic impact analysis if the council declines to do a full cost-of-service study. —

David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 In a healthy rhythm, cortisol is higher in the morning and gradually declines throughout the day, which allows the body to shift into repair and sleep mode at night. —

Rita Templeton, Flow Space, 18 Feb. 2026 Their research and resulting report, for instance, found that over the past five recessions, the total GDP declines from dips in tourism averaged a 10% dip. —

Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 15 Feb. 2026 But today there’s something refreshingly unusual about electronic music so unabashedly idealistic, something that declines to submit to reality and instead goes searching for some far-off nirvana, finding connections to other dreamers on the way. —

Alex Robert Ross, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2026

Noun

That’s because, unlike their salaried counterparts, boomers’ asset returns aren’t tied to inflation and are therefore more susceptible to declines in the real value of their disposable income. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026 Singapore Airlines fell more than 6%, pacing sector declines. —

Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2026 The steep declines this week showed just how on edge investors are regarding AI — even when the news is good, or when doomsday scenarios are completely made out of thin air. —

Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 28 Feb. 2026 As housing prices rise, Black and Hispanic families are often displaced by wealthier families who may opt for private or homeschooling, accelerating enrollment declines in public schools. —

Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2026 Other commodities experiencing import declines included salt, sulfur and cement (a 21 percent drop), iron and steel (a 32 percent decrease) and toys, games and sports equipment (a 15 percent downturn). —

Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 27 Feb. 2026 Graham Corp, president of Mesa Education Association, said districts across the state are also experiencing enrollment declines. —

Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026 Major software stocks like Microsoft, Oracle, and Salesforce have seen significant declines from their recent highs. —

Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 22 Feb. 2026 Regional campuses have borne the brunt of declines. —

Jack O'Connor, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines

Verb

The extended rave scene establishes the tone in a film that refuses to parallel park into a specific genre or, for that matter, stick to storytelling norms and expectations.

— Randy Myers, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
However, when an organisation like BAFTA, with its own long history of systemic racism, refuses to acknowledge the harm inflicted on both the Black and disabled communities and offer an appropriate apology, remaining involved would be tantamount to condoning its behaviour.

— Alex Ritman, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026