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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decrease
Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
Structural deficits from backlogged issues, increasing costs, less revenue from the federal and state governments, decreased tourist spending and the failure of holding departments accountable to their budgets have created significant challenges to maintaining our core services.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Fewer than 10 human deaths are reported across the country annually, a sharp decrease from before 1960, when hundreds of people died from the disease each year.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Verb
The Mets are unsure if his hip led to decreased velocity.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 7 May 2026
Structural deficits from backlogged issues, increasing costs, less revenue from the federal and state governments, decreased tourist spending and the failure of holding departments accountable to their budgets have created significant challenges to maintaining our core services.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
Noun
Incidents at Jewish institutions declined substantially, including a record decrease in bomb threats, from 627 in 2024 to just 59 in 2025, according to ADL.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 May 2026
Fewer than 10 human deaths are reported across the country annually, a sharp decrease from before 1960, when hundreds of people died from the disease each year.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
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Earlier that year, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a sweeping climate change bill with an ambitious goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 45% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and to achieve economy-wide net-zero levels by 2050.—
Krisztian Elcsics,
Hartford Courant,
12 May 2026
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Likewise, in building communities, there must be a priority on preserving green spaces, creating walkable neighborhoods to reduce traffic and car emissions, intentionally designating areas for wildlife habitats, and prioritizing quality of life through parks, trails, and conservation areas.—
Sammy Duda,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Verb
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Successive presidential administrations have done little to diminish alcohol’s harms.—
Lev Facher,
STAT,
12 May 2026
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That evolution doesn’t diminish the importance of our core business.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
12 May 2026
Noun
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In a 2019 op-ed in The New York Times, Felix claimed that Nike offered her a 70 percent pay reduction during those negotiations.—
Tina Sturdevant,
New York Times,
10 May 2026
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Last month, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced the reduction of about 1,000 roles at the company, 16% of its staff.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
Verb
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The family’s anger has subsided some since the baby’s death, in part because of their trust in God’s plan.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
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In fact, transparency mode eventually turns itself off until the wind subsides.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
Noun
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An earlier study, published in the American Economic Journal, found that field-office closures led to a sixteen-per-cent decline in disability recipients in the surrounding areas.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
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The clues are all in his writing, the structure of the sentence, the tracking of it, the fast decline into being inebriated.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Huntington Beach fell behind early in the second set but continued to keep the set close before Fruerbringer’s kill gave the Mustangs a 16-11 lead.—
Lou Ponsi,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
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After a jump ball, Miles chased down the ball at midcourt, started to drive and passed to Hof, whose layup at the buzzer did not fall.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
10 May 2026
Noun
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Then, put your ballot into a mailbox or secure drop box, or deliver it to a voting center or county elections office.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
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Two aviation courses are expected to take place, including water drops, passenger loading, cargo handling and refining communications, according to a release.—
Corey Schmidt,
Sacbee.com,
7 May 2026
Verb
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This new effort will be known as Golden State Start, as California uses its bulk purchasing power to obtain 40 million high-quality diapers in hopes of easing financial strain for families and supporting infant health by helping parents maintain an adequate supply of clean diapers.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
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The game stays mostly cloudy, but mild with temperatures gradually easing into the middle 60s by the late innings.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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