DECREASES Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

decreases 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of decrease

as in reduces

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in diminishes

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decreases

2 of 2

noun

plural of decrease

as in reductions

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

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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 decreases

Verb

In addition, insulin sensitivity — or how effectively the body responds to the hormone insulin — also generally decreases at night. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Oct. 2026 The drink—also known simply as beet juice—decreases inflammation and is rich in nitrates, which help relax blood vessels and allow blood to flow more freely. — Christina Manian, HEALTH, 7 Oct. 2026 Greek yogurt goes through a straining process that doubles the amount of protein and decreases the amount of sugar compared to regular yogurt. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 The front finally moves through on Friday, but some heavy rain will still be possible early, before the chance of rain decreases into the weekend. — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026 The Nebraska researchers also found that hafnia becomes more stable as its thickness decreases. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026 Of course, that age range decreases in areas where mule deer hunting is less restricted. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 24 Sep. 2026 When those foundations are set, AI decreases the number of touches per invoice, increases real-time visibility and provides controls that can scale with transaction volume. — John Gronen, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 The polar vortex naturally develops during late summer and fall as sunlight decreases over the Arctic and the stratosphere begins to cool. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

The average gas price dropped a few cents a gallon in South Florida this week after double-digit decreases last week. — Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Separately, several research groups are exploring whether heat can help treat depression, building on a landmark study that showed meaningful decreases in symptoms after one session in a special infrared machine. — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 China’s growth largely offset those decreases, while India and Taiwan also posted gains. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 The decreases come as the CTA boosted law enforcement on the system at the federal government’s behest, a move that threatened to withhold funding from the transit agency after last year’s Blue Line attack. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026 If the amount of money provided by the state to school districts decreases because some children leave for private school, the legislature can adjust the Blueprint funding formula that ties funding to the number of students who attend a school. — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026 According to an analysis from California’s nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO), the tax could generate revenues in the tens of millions in the short term but cause decreases in income tax revenue in the future. — Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026 The bill also gives some legal protection for school districts against financial penalties if their arts funding decreases as a result of factors beyond their control, such as the expiration of a grant. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026 The results are splendid when the duo is dealing, but when the line comes off the ice, the quality of play decreases. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decreases

Verb

Billable hour pressure The billable hour is central to the business model of many law firms, but when AI significantly reduces the time lawyers spend sifting through and drafting documents, the economics are no longer so straightforward.

— Lindsay Dodgson, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2026
It can also be equipped with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system that reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 70 percent to meet IMO Tier III regulations.

— Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

By effectively raising the threshold in the playoffs, the NFL acknowledges that over-officiating diminishes the product and that marginal penalties should not decide its most important games.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Subtracting LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges somewhat diminishes the overall talent, but Charlotte wanted Miller and Knueppel to usher them into the next era.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminishes

Noun

The company made headcount reductions at AOL, Eventbrite, and Vimeo, following the acquisitions.

— Sam Birchall, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026
During the interim period between presidents, the university convened a committee to find short-term solutions to some issues such as the reductions in graduate students and grant funding.

— Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of reductions

Verb

Chadchart said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials are working to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Ideally, those refugees would remain in human care for years or even decades until the mussel invasion subsides.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of subsides

Noun

West Coast gateways gained share, while several East and Gulf Coast ports recorded declines.

— Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
Whenever monthly margin debt has grown above 45% year over year since 1960, there were declines in the stock market five out of six times, data from Fundstrat Global Advisors shows.

— Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of declines

Verb

The January 16, 2027 slot once again falls the day after the end of nomination voting in the Academy Awards on January 15, and before the January 21 nominations announcement.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026
As night falls, Kenny and Christina are over the moon about their trip.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

As groundwater shrinks, those like Jan who can afford the upfront cost keep digging deeper; those who can’t rely on expensive tanker water or hand pumps at mosques.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
Over the six episodes, alliances shift, egos clash, and pressure builds as the group shrinks.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026