DECREASE Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'decrease' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate , diminish , dwindle , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Q: When would 'abate' be a good substitute for 'decrease'?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When could 'diminish' be used to replace 'decrease'?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When can 'dwindle' be used instead of 'decrease'?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lessen' instead of 'decrease'?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. // has been unable to lessen her debt

Q: When might 'reduce' be a better fit than 'decrease'?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease , reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. // you must reduce your caloric intake

decrease 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈkrēs

Definition of decrease

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decrease

2 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌkrēs

as in reduction

the amount by which something is lessened the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decrease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate, diminish, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When would abate be a good substitute for decrease?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could diminish be used to replace decrease?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can dwindle be used instead of decrease?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When is it sensible to use lessen instead of decrease?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than decrease?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

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 decrease

Verb

Their systolic and diastolic blood pressure (which measures pressure when the heart relaxes) both decreased. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2026 Moisturizers Starting in your 30s and 40s, hyaluronic acid levels begin to decrease, which is what makes fine lines and deep wrinkles more noticeable. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Noun

Opponents of Proposition 40 are concerned that the threat of wealth taxes will lead to billionaires continuing to leave the state, resulting in a long-term decrease in state income tax revenue. — Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026 Kansas actually had a decrease in voters registering with the Libertarian Party, with 339 fewer people compared to 2022. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decrease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease

Verb

By controlling how densely cancer-targeting proteins are displayed on the virus, the team developed vaccine particles that significantly reduced tumor development in mice.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
Research suggests standard time better aligns with our circadian rhythm, or internal clock, and reduces the risk of health complications.

— Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 31 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Members of Congress could be expected to resist presidential encroachments because those encroachments diminished their own power.

— Stephanie A, The Conversation, 26 Oct. 2026
In theory, such an arrangement diminishes the cells’ ability to transport oxygen from the lungs.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminish

Noun

But this year, OVS slashed its funding, forcing service reductions and uncertainty while barring the program from using grant money to help survivors across county lines.

— Connie Neal, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026
Subramaniam said the company is on track to achieve $650 million in operating profit improvement in Europe by the 2029 fiscal year, the majority of which will be cost reduction.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduction

Verb

This means rough surf, beach erosion, and coastal flooding will slowly subside at the beaches through the weekend.

— Steven Sosna, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Goldman Sachs also found that hedge funds sold tech stocks at a record pace last week, suggesting future selling pressure may subside.

— Sean Conlon, CNBC, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of subside

Noun

But over the past year, the company has seen its share price decline by approximately a third, largely due to rising costs.

— Rob Wile, NBC news, 29 Oct. 2026
The decline was among the most noteworthy changes in polling about the November ballot, PPIC poll director Mark Baldassare told The Sacramento Bee.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

Noun

To Nothing’s credit, the case gets IPX2 ingress protection, so a drop of rain now and then shouldn’t kill it.

— Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Vaibhav steps into the India lineup in place of Ishan Kishan who has a groin injury and will bat at first drop unless India chooses to match him in an all left hand opening partnership with Abhishek Sharma.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of drop

Verb

The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Reports have also eased slightly, with about half occurring in the first two months.

— Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ease

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decoys

decrease

decreased

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“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of decrease

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