as in bowing
bending downward or forward
the declining flowers perked up with the gentle rainfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in decline
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
1
as in refusing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in falling
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in deteriorating
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 decreasing
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 plunging
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of declining
Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.
—Fox News, 15 May 2020
During replanting, remove dead and declining portions, including old roots.
—Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 26 May 2018
The team then built mathematical models using the same data to assess how declining immunity might affect the susceptibility of the U.S. population.
—Roni Dengler, Science | AAAS, 21 Mar. 2018
According to a new analysis by the McKinsey Global Institute, 81 percent of the United States population is in an income bracket with flat or declining income over the last decade.
—Neil Irwin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2016
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Birth rates and fertility trends The administration is overhauling Title X in the context of declining birth rates.
—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
The gradual drop-off in prices is due to a declining number of bird flu cases following a major outbreak in commercial flocks and egg-laying hens last winter.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Investors have largely overlooked Tesla’s declining auto sales as Musk reorients the company around futuristic pursuits including robotaxis and humanoid robots.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
According to the study, mortality rates peaked in 2004 before declining sharply and remaining relatively low until 2020.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
In some parts of Florida, the declining childhood vaccination rates reflect a decline in public health confidence and an increase in vaccine hesitancy.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Nationally, measles vaccination rates among kindergartners have been declining.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
After years of struggle and declining enrollment, the end could be coming for George Washington Carver School of Arts and Sciences.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant.
—Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021
In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities.
—Fox News, 15 May 2020
During replanting, remove dead and declining portions, including old roots.
—Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 26 May 2018
The team then built mathematical models using the same data to assess how declining immunity might affect the susceptibility of the U.S. population.
—Roni Dengler, Science | AAAS, 21 Mar. 2018
According to a new analysis by the McKinsey Global Institute, 81 percent of the United States population is in an income bracket with flat or declining income over the last decade.
—Neil Irwin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2016
Noun
Reports showing inflation and unemployment declining have subsequently been released, and a nominee for the Federal Reserve chairman role has since been announced.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026
Verb
The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office also reviewed evidence from West Jordan before declining to file charges.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Birth rates and fertility trends The administration is overhauling Title X in the context of declining birth rates.
—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026
The gradual drop-off in prices is due to a declining number of bird flu cases following a major outbreak in commercial flocks and egg-laying hens last winter.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 16 Apr. 2026
Investors have largely overlooked Tesla’s declining auto sales as Musk reorients the company around futuristic pursuits including robotaxis and humanoid robots.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
According to the study, mortality rates peaked in 2004 before declining sharply and remaining relatively low until 2020.
—Armando Garcia, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
In some parts of Florida, the declining childhood vaccination rates reflect a decline in public health confidence and an increase in vaccine hesitancy.
—Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Apr. 2026
Nationally, measles vaccination rates among kindergartners have been declining.
—Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
After years of struggle and declining enrollment, the end could be coming for George Washington Carver School of Arts and Sciences.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declining
Noun
-
But researchers who study fertility trends say the decline is driven by forces that have little to do with contraception access and that restricting it is unlikely to produce more births.—
Dr. Céline Gounder,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Cities and towns around the state with large immigrant populations have seen steep enrollment declines over the last year, says the Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance, as families have been deported or voluntarily returned to their home countries amidst heightened anxiety.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 1999, the IRS and the Department of Justice served him with an order requiring him to appear in federal court and explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for refusing to disclose information about his bank accounts and assets.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The new fines will range from $100 up to $1,000 for each offense, including increasing rent, decreasing services or refusing to renew a rental agreement because the tenant has complained about a housing violation in good faith.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
His complaint alleged that the state’s actions had left him with a financial burden of more than $20,000 per year by denying the vouchers to both of his children.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Pressed by rival camps, pursued by the political press corps, the claims were largely confined to unvetted corners of the internet until this week, when Swalwell’s campaign — knowing the whispers were getting louder — issued a public statement denying any wrongdoing.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
By 2025, Anderson — then 59 and nearing completion of her bachelor’s degree — was failing classes and falling behind on bills.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) says lead paint is falling from six Baltimore-area bridges and contaminating waterways.—
Adam Thompson,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kennedy Center leadership is conducting tours with congressional staff and donors to demonstrate that the building needs major renovation due to water damage, HVAC issues and deteriorating infrastructure.—
Steven Sloan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Lake County has taken the first steps towards absorbing the responsibilities of the essentially defunct Del Mar Woods Sanitary District, a tiny government unit consisting of a subdivision with fewer than 90 lots and deteriorating sewer pipes.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
There are three Elvi (Tyler Hanes, Colton Sims and Charles Adler Bischoff at the Marriott, in decreasing order of age).—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Despite being a required vaccine in all states to attend public school, rates have been steadily decreasing over the last decade, CDC data shows.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Trump’s move to shutter the building for two years starting in July, which was approved by the board last month, has spurred lawsuits and an outcry that the closure is merely a response to plunging sales as artists canceled Kennedy Center performances in droves.—
Steven Sloan,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
In February, a mix of snow and road salt seeped into underground electrical equipment, plunging more than 5,000 of our constituents in Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, and Bushwick into darkness.—
Shahana Hanif,
New York Daily News,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.—
Aylin Woodward,
WSJ,
21 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Declining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declining. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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