as in bowing
bending downward or forward
the declining flowers perked up with the gentle rainfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Anna McAllister, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
But somewhere along the amicable journey toward a more independent Greenland actively involved in its own defense and security, a warming world with its increasingly accessible Arctic resources and declining sea ice caught the attention of nearly all world powers, great and small.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
Aligning Higher Education More Closely With Workforce Needs Higher education has been facing some strong headwinds, from drops in enrollment to declining consumer confidence to decreases in federal research investments.
—Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Collins reviewed details from previous presentations, explaining that Blanton’s 69-year-old campus needs significant repairs, and said that the school’s declining enrollment is expected to drop even further.
—Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
However, increasing expenses from personnel costs and declining interest income revenues may lead to another shortfall.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Orszag and Posen also warn that the price shocks sustained by American consumers through 2025 and into this year could have lasting effects on consumer behavior, and therefore on the broader economy, even if statistics show inflation declining.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The commission cited concerns about wolf mortalities in Colorado, anti-wolf sentiment in some ranching communities here and Washington’s own declining wolf populations.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
The Chandler Unified School District governing board voted to cut 123 positions due to declining student enrollment.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 15 Jan. 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
Verb
The Broward County School Board voted Wednesday to close six schools, citing declining enrollment and financial pressures after a daylong meeting that also sparked debate over potential changes to graduation venues.
—Anna McAllister, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
But somewhere along the amicable journey toward a more independent Greenland actively involved in its own defense and security, a warming world with its increasingly accessible Arctic resources and declining sea ice caught the attention of nearly all world powers, great and small.
—Barry Scott Zellen, Hartford Courant, 22 Jan. 2026
Aligning Higher Education More Closely With Workforce Needs Higher education has been facing some strong headwinds, from drops in enrollment to declining consumer confidence to decreases in federal research investments.
—Matt Gandal, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
Collins reviewed details from previous presentations, explaining that Blanton’s 69-year-old campus needs significant repairs, and said that the school’s declining enrollment is expected to drop even further.
—Dallas Morning News, 21 Jan. 2026
However, increasing expenses from personnel costs and declining interest income revenues may lead to another shortfall.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026
Orszag and Posen also warn that the price shocks sustained by American consumers through 2025 and into this year could have lasting effects on consumer behavior, and therefore on the broader economy, even if statistics show inflation declining.
—Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026
The commission cited concerns about wolf mortalities in Colorado, anti-wolf sentiment in some ranching communities here and Washington’s own declining wolf populations.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026
The Chandler Unified School District governing board voted to cut 123 positions due to declining student enrollment.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declining
Noun
-
The resulting decline in steady natural gas supply led to the shutdown of numerous power generating stations.—
Matt Randolph,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Health experts expect bigger declines in the coming months, as more enrollees receive notice of price hikes and cancel their plans.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, in recent years, health care professionals say more parents are refusing vitamin K shots for their newborns.—
Dr. Jade Cobern,
ABC News,
23 Jan. 2026
-
In the Cooper case, the university did the right thing by refusing to honor the demands of powerful legislators.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
These two teams have circled each other since the Rams won the NFC West last winter based off a tiebreaker, denying Seattle the opportunity to play for a postseason spot before their Week 18 matchup.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
25 Jan. 2026
-
While federal law makes Ross immune from being directly sued for assault or wrongful death in Good’s shooting, he could be named as a defendant – and end up in front of a jury – in a suit accusing him of denying Good’s civil rights.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But absent any concerning signs that the labor market is falling a cliff, the Fed will also likely turn to inflation data for the cue on when to lower rates again.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
28 Jan. 2026
-
But their story appears to be falling apart.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Cruz was responding to another post from Tehran Bureau, which cited a source inside Iran detailing what was described as a rapidly deteriorating situation on the ground as security forces continued to crack down on demonstrations.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The Plough’s garden furniture is deteriorating, and an antique sign visible in the Cameron-Xi event is absent.—
Brendan Murray,
Bloomberg,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In her recommendation to reduce costs, Maeda suggested decreasing bimonthly water meter service charges for single-family utility customers by 25% and increasing the commodity per unit charge by 12% while maintaining the yearly rate of increase.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Hardware sales have been decreasing, which is problematic since subscriptions for connected fitness—arguably the most sustainable segment—rely significantly on consumers owning Peloton equipment.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The long-sleeve top with a plunging neckline coordinated with a skirt and included the polka dot trend with white dots and a navy base fabric.—
Julia Teti,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Selena Gomez stunned in a plunging black top and gold tinsel skirt for a date night with Benny Blanco.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
21 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
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