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

Splitting the shot up decreases vaccination rates and leaves children unprotected over a longer period, experts say. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 When employees actively participate in shaping the policies that govern their day-to-day experience, engagement rises and turnover decreases. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Eventually, the plants become woody in the center, and the number of blooms decreases. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 If the vehicle slows significantly below the required speed, the normal force between its tires and the tunnel surface decreases, increasing the risk of losing contact. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 Increasing the number of CPUs available significantly decreases the latency for Llama-8B responses over longer sequence lengths. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Aug. 2026 Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that AI adoption in manufacturing initially decreases productivity before ultimately helping workers achieve long-term gains. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Perhaps seawater’s viscosity — which decreases as temperature increases, making the water thinner —affects ciliary movements, Shapiro said. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Conversely, a larger FOV decreases the angular resolution, since the pixels are dispersed across a wider area of the screen. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

States with large rural populations that expanded Medicaid under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act are expected to see the largest decreases in Medicaid spending. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Using birdwatching and policy data from more than 2,300 counties across China, a new analysis found that areas with stricter policies enforcing solar energy development have seen decreases in bird diversity over the last 10 years. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 However, this model includes Bissell’s AutoAdapt Power Boost, which dynamically increases/decreases suction as dirt is detected, averaging 25 to 40 minutes of use. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026 People are waiting to see if prices increase or quality decreases. — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026 More than half of states saw decreases in coverage for MMR, DTaP, polio vaccine, and varicella/chickenpox vaccine. — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 17 Aug. 2026 Despite recent week-over-week decreases, gas prices across California remain high for the last weeks of summer. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 16 Aug. 2026 Transit and law enforcement leaders have cited significant decreases in crime on the system following that boost in law enforcement hours, which includes officers from the Cook County sheriff’s police. — Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026 Other states hit hard by the opioid epidemic also saw year-over-year decreases in fatal overdoses, including states that didn’t loosen Medicaid billing rules, like Tennessee and West Virginia. — Alex Acquisto, ProPublica, 30 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decreases

Verb

Bright colors pop across the entire massive IPS panel, even at different viewing angles, and a zippy 100Hz refresh rate reduces lag and keeps everything on-screen smooth.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 19 Aug. 2026
Swimming also reduces stress as rhythmic breathing and movement trigger the release of brain chemicals such as endorphins and dopamine, which produce a sense of euphoria and well-being.

— Michael McColly, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

The filter significantly diminishes elements commonly found in water that can be damaging, like chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, heavy metals, and more.

— Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026
My belief in the freshmen’s collective greatness diminishes throughout the program.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminishes

Noun

In northwest suburban Northlake, the average homeowner would save more than $2,000 on their annual tax bill — a difference of almost 30% — if local data centers did not receive valuation reductions and incentives, according to the analysis.

— Alex Nitkin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Historically, organizations have achieved dramatic cost reductions through outsourcing, labor arbitrage, and operating model redesign.

— Peter Bendor-Samuel, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of reductions

Verb

The brutal nausea and vomiting of norovirus, for instance, subsides in one to three days; even the relentless diarrhea of cyclosporiasis can let up in a couple of days with an antibiotic.

— Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026
That said, living in the South means there’s still a ways to go before the heat subsides, and until then, breathable summer staples will continue to define my outfits.

— Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of subsides

Noun

In The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt argues that overparenting and excessive screen time are driving declines in youth mental health.

— Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
This summer, the school board approved plans to close or consolidate nine more campuses – the most ever in one year – as enrollment declines and ensuing financial pressures stretch the district thin.

— Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of declines

Verb

When Cantu reaches towards Lopez and screams his wife’s name, a shot rings out and Lopez falls slightly off camera.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Rather than extra long hair, think of a cut that falls somewhere below the collarbone, with enough layering or movement to keep it from feeling heavy.

— Laura Solla, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of falls

Noun

Nike has never before given the Air Max 2001 Air Ecstasy a retro release before, but leaks from earlier this summer indicate the shoe will get a wider revival through in-line drops.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026
At the same time, the drops have suspended pigments that melt into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, creating a more even skin tone with a natural, slightly luminous finish.

— Jenny Berg, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026