1
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
as in reduction
the amount by which something is lessened
the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decrease
Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Fermentation and roasting can decrease the polyphenol and flavanol content of the cocoa.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
August inventory data compiled by the Logistics Managers' Index, which tracks inventory and warehousing metrics, warns of the decrease in freight volumes having a trickle down effect on trains, trucks, and warehouses that make money by storing or moving trade.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Verb
Every decision either increases your freedom or decreases it.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Fermentation and roasting can decrease the polyphenol and flavanol content of the cocoa.
—Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
While both groups saw a reduction in body weight, at the end of the six-year period, the intervention group exhibited greater levels of sustained physical activity and presented a 31% decrease in their type 2 diabetes risk.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
August inventory data compiled by the Logistics Managers' Index, which tracks inventory and warehousing metrics, warns of the decrease in freight volumes having a trickle down effect on trains, trucks, and warehouses that make money by storing or moving trade.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
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The researchers believe that the benefit likely comes from aspirin acting in several ways – by reducing inflammation and inhibiting platelet function and tumor growth.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
18 Sep. 2025
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In 2016, court filings indicate Gamez Lira was charged with possession of marijuana but ultimately pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after the charges were reduced.—
Armando Garcia,
ABC News,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But with Burrow now looking likely to miss the majority of the regular season, those chances look severely diminished.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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One potential problem with this set-up is that the SCORE Act diminishes the role of state law in subject areas traditionally governed by states.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The reduction of labor costs via automation, efficiency gains, and increasing digital goods and services would all serve to push prices down.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The survey data reveals that 60% of employees believe their leaders lack empathy during layoffs, while 54% don't trust leadership to handle workforce reductions fairly.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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From the Luddites smashing looms in 19th-century England to autoworkers walking out over the introduction of robots to the factory floor in the 1980s, resistance has flared before either being crushed or subsiding, giving way to the new economies and social orders the technologies ushered in.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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The pharmaceutical company’s shares traded as high as $942 last summer, but have subsided to about $755.—
John Dorfman,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Following on from its second-quarter results, the company maintained its full-year sales growth outlook of a low single-digit year-over-year decline.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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At the time, Western Sizzlin had long been in a period of decline, having filed for bankruptcy in 1992.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 Sep. 2025
Verb
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New residential property prices fell year-on-year during August in 65 out of 70 cities surveyed by the NBS, data also showed.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
15 Sep. 2025
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Penske’s complaint argues that practice isn’t a fair exchange and has caused significant financial harm, with the company’s affiliate revenue falling by more than a third (as a result of Google’s AI Overviews co-opting traffic that might have otherwise gone to Penske outlets).—
Andy Meek,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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According to Champo, apply three to four drops onto the fingertips and massage where needed.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
12 Sep. 2025
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The most severe drop was in press freedom when compared with five years ago, but the indicator for the credibility of elections was at its lowest in 30 years.—
Matthew Tostevin
John Feng,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This was a week dedicated to the passage of several bills that would ease regulations on prominent appliances.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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However, some pressures have eased compared with a year ago.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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