as in bowing
bending downward or forward
the declining flowers perked up with the gentle rainfall
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
as in decline
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Remove dead and declining portions back to the healthy trunks or to the ground.
—Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Nov. 2019
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
Prune away dead or declining plant portions affected by summer weather or pests.
—Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 26 Aug. 2017
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
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
Remove dead and declining portions back to the healthy trunks or to the ground.
—Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Nov. 2019
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
Prune away dead or declining plant portions affected by summer weather or pests.
—Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 26 Aug. 2017
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for declining
Verb
-
That was what turned last night’s game around and what may be the difference between this team getting all the way to April 6 or falling short.—
John Nogowski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2025
-
One possible, yet expensive, remedy would be to bury power lines underground, or confine them in above-ground enclosures, removing the threat of toppling or damage by gusty winds, by falling vegetation or by other above-ground destabilizing factors.—
Hugo A Loaiciga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
His health has been deteriorating since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a toddler.—
Lynsey Addario,
New York Times,
24 Mar. 2025
-
Retail experts saw a lack of investment in Hudson’s Bay stores, diminishing service levels and deteriorating physical conditions, like malfunctioning escalators and water damage in certain locations.—
David Moin,
WWD,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
In one set of photos, she is seen wearing a black dress with a plunging neckline from the collection.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The dress featured a plunging neckline and thick straps with a hemline above Cavallari’s knees.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Policy journals brim with articles about American decline and the advent of multipolarity.—
Hal Brands,
Twin Cities,
13 July 2025
-
The condition leads to a decline in the ability to independently function, think and reason.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
According to Mike White logic, the greatest sin isn’t being a mess but wasting your energy in denying rather than dealing.—
Joe Joyce,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
14 Mar. 2025
-
After first denying the nonprofit’s request for more time, the state agency in January extended the timeline to allow for construction to complete in October 2026.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacramento Bee,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Temperatures will climb to around 70 degrees on Tuesday before dipping to 67 degrees on Wednesday.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
24 Mar. 2025
-
But why limit ranch to dipping finger foods or flavoring everyone's favorite casserole?—
Erin Hooker,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Highly flammable tamarisk shrubs have taken root in thick stands near streams in the western US, and eucalyptus — one of the primary invasive trees blamed for worsening Chile’s recent wildfires as well as fires in Portugal — increases wildfire risk in California.—
Kylie Mohr,
Vox,
8 Jan. 2025
-
The conflict is delaying training for thousands of medical students, likely leading to a worsening health care crisis for Sudan for years to come.—
Maria Isabel Barros Guinle,
NPR,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
-
After his round, the Irishman did not tolerate the media diminishing his spot in the tournament.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Declining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declining. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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