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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Nazareth now declines to confirm whether the deal has been finalized off-screen or not.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Scientists are reporting the first compelling evidence in people that cognitive training can boost levels of a brain chemical that typically declines with age.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
And so, trust declines further.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Alas, Mettang declines to confirm.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Estrogen, which declines during perimenopause and menopause, plays a key role in inflammatory responses and in maintaining bone density and tissue moisture in the mouth.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2025
Overall, the most prevalent cause of bird population declines is habitat loss and degradation, driven especially by agricultural expansion and intensification and logging, the IUCN said.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Prices up 2% but concessions show declines, especially condos (-11%).
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The combination of a ballooning valuation and huge profit declines since the company’s heyday at the turn of the decade makes the Magic Premium a Halloween ghoul that’s haunting Wall Street.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
That was partially offset by linear subscription declines mainly related to the renewal cycle with a key distribution partner in Mexico.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
McQueen isn’t the only Kering brand that’s under the microscope as the French group looks to stem sales declines at a difficult time for luxury.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure — Disney’s chief rivals in Orlando — both saw significant attendance declines in 2024.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Following the report, several analysts cut their price targets on the stock anticipating limited returns or declines moving forward.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
More than half of the 51 basins are showing water declines, according to a statewide report.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Leagues are branching out as a way of countering the declines in traditional pay-TV subscribers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
In older men, as testosterone naturally declines, gynecomastia becomes more common, often combined with weight gain or medications that alter hormone levels.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
Nazareth now declines to confirm whether the deal has been finalized off-screen or not.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Scientists are reporting the first compelling evidence in people that cognitive training can boost levels of a brain chemical that typically declines with age.
—Jon Hamilton, NPR, 22 Oct. 2025
And so, trust declines further.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Alas, Mettang declines to confirm.
—Howard Walker, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025
Estrogen, which declines during perimenopause and menopause, plays a key role in inflammatory responses and in maintaining bone density and tissue moisture in the mouth.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2025
Overall, the most prevalent cause of bird population declines is habitat loss and degradation, driven especially by agricultural expansion and intensification and logging, the IUCN said.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025
Prices up 2% but concessions show declines, especially condos (-11%).
—Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
With birth rates declining and some Americans favoring trade school or going directly to the workforce after high school, universities are preparing for potentially catastrophic declines in enrollment in coming years.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The combination of a ballooning valuation and huge profit declines since the company’s heyday at the turn of the decade makes the Magic Premium a Halloween ghoul that’s haunting Wall Street.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2025
That was partially offset by linear subscription declines mainly related to the renewal cycle with a key distribution partner in Mexico.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
McQueen isn’t the only Kering brand that’s under the microscope as the French group looks to stem sales declines at a difficult time for luxury.
—Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2025
Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure — Disney’s chief rivals in Orlando — both saw significant attendance declines in 2024.
—Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 2025
Following the report, several analysts cut their price targets on the stock anticipating limited returns or declines moving forward.
—Itzel Franco, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
More than half of the 51 basins are showing water declines, according to a statewide report.
—Clara Migoya, AZCentral.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Leagues are branching out as a way of countering the declines in traditional pay-TV subscribers.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines
Verb
-
If Taiwan refuses to capitulate in a quarantine or blockade, an invasion could follow.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Selma Blair refuses to sugarcoat what life with multiple sclerosis looks like.—
Maggie Ryan,
Flow Space,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Ali reiterates her concerns that Anton was different in the pods and denies that his job or ambition were factors in her decision.—
Jennifer Zhan,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Despite his reputation as a womanizer, the former King denies the affair in his memoir.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
For now, the burden largely falls on defendants — many still deep in addiction, many who are homeless — to find and secure treatment on their own.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Oct. 2025
-
As another once-promising season falls apart, this time stamped out in stunningly emphatic fashion, a conversation that had only begun to percolate is now steaming hot.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
26 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Exposure to such content also deteriorates her audience’s ability to form beliefs on the basis of the evidence and primes them for skepticism toward consequential matters like vaccines and medicine.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
-
There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
That’s important because your power naturally and rapidly decreases as you age, Booker says.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
24 Oct. 2025
-
For instance, frequently reloading a gun before the ammo counter hits zero will present a Flaw called Overprepared, which increases each gun’s magazine size but temporarily decreases a character’s damage output if a gun does reach zero ammo before a reload.—
Jason Fanelli,
Rolling Stone,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
-
While the filmmaker’s first nine movies were modestly budgeted — see Inherent Vice (2014) or Hard Eight (1996) — the $140 million One Battle, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, plunges Anderson into franchise-like economics.—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Hard or heavy frosts, also called hard freezes, are dips below 28°F.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Their dips, which are made with real chicken and cottage cheese, deliver nine to ten grams of protein.—
Katherine Fung,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2025.
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