1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in reductions
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
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
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
By April and May, the shelf life decreases.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
When timelines stretch over years, transaction certainty decreases, project economics weaken, and securing financing becomes more difficult.
—Dan Romito, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
The need to parrot or reference the sound or look of the original stars decreases, and the new cast members make the roles their own.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Hot and humid weather generally decreases air density, helping the ball carry, while cold weather increases density and shortens flight.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Ubah Ali, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Carroll Rivas added that decreases of nonviolent incidents in the audit appear in part attributed to fewer in-person events, leaflet or flyer distributions or other gatherings, particularly among white nationalists and neo-Nazis.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 May 2026
One reason for its popularity is that as people rise through the ranks in an organization, their need for technical skills decreases, while their need for human skills goes up, and managing emotions is one of the harder human skills to master.
—David Rock, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Even if policy changes or negotiations are successful, Schieldrop said that seeing significant decreases in prices is likely still a long time coming.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
All 39 have recorded enrollment decreases, based on an analysis by the California Department of Education.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
When the decreases in these two categories are considered together (81 deaths in total), 2025 had the second-fewest total number of law enforcement deaths since 2010 (in 2013, there were 76 deaths of officers).
—Kenneth D. Robinson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The total cost of pensions may not necessarily decrease as the contribution rate decreases because the state’s payroll costs are likely to increase in the coming years.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.
—Doug Brugge, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
—Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2026
By April and May, the shelf life decreases.
—Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 2026
When timelines stretch over years, transaction certainty decreases, project economics weaken, and securing financing becomes more difficult.
—Dan Romito, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026
The need to parrot or reference the sound or look of the original stars decreases, and the new cast members make the roles their own.
—Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
Hot and humid weather generally decreases air density, helping the ball carry, while cold weather increases density and shortens flight.
—Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
After two years of aggressive decreases in auto theft rates, every tool needs to be used to return to that trend.
—Ubah Ali, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Carroll Rivas added that decreases of nonviolent incidents in the audit appear in part attributed to fewer in-person events, leaflet or flyer distributions or other gatherings, particularly among white nationalists and neo-Nazis.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 6 May 2026
One reason for its popularity is that as people rise through the ranks in an organization, their need for technical skills decreases, while their need for human skills goes up, and managing emotions is one of the harder human skills to master.
—David Rock, Fortune, 6 May 2026
Even if policy changes or negotiations are successful, Schieldrop said that seeing significant decreases in prices is likely still a long time coming.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 4 May 2026
All 39 have recorded enrollment decreases, based on an analysis by the California Department of Education.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
When the decreases in these two categories are considered together (81 deaths in total), 2025 had the second-fewest total number of law enforcement deaths since 2010 (in 2013, there were 76 deaths of officers).
—Kenneth D. Robinson, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026
The total cost of pensions may not necessarily decrease as the contribution rate decreases because the state’s payroll costs are likely to increase in the coming years.
—William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 28 Apr. 2026
Even small decreases in cognitive functioning may be associated with a higher risk of death.
—Doug Brugge, The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decreases
Verb
-
Congress should invest in technology, innovation and infrastructure that reduces wildfire risk, protects water supply and develops cleaner energy that works for California families.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Also, reusing local rubble reduces the carbon emissions from transporting heavy sand and gravel across long distances.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
If the College Football Playoff expands, the urgency of the regular season diminishes by comparison, and in a sport that had, inarguably, the greatest regular season in sports, that's a huge blow.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
-
Art thrives on openness, and any narrowing of that space diminishes it.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, but the plea agreement says the government will recommend level reductions in the sentencing guidelines.—
Andrew Blankstein,
NBC news,
12 May 2026
-
And their representatives on Monday did not rule out coming back to the city to ask for additional reductions as the work advances.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
In fact, transparency mode eventually turns itself off until the wind subsides.—
Mark Knapp,
PC Magazine,
8 May 2026
-
To better determine the value of locking in a mortgage rate now – or waiting until this current volatility subsides – borrowers need to start with an understanding of where mortgage rates stand right now, as of May 8, 2026.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Research from Education Next shows the declines are not only in older grades, but also in pre-K and kindergarten.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
-
The data also show a more recent turnaround, with declines in such crime and improved clearance rates.—
Hailey Wang,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
Verb
-
On both sides of the street, the sidewalk rises and falls, uprooted and cracked by shallow roots because over many decades, the trees were not properly maintained.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
The youngest Issa falls somewhere in between her sisters’ styles.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Lee announces the drops via Dover Sole Market’s Instagram stories Wednesday or Thursday for Saturday and Sunday pickup.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
That risk shrinks when having what feels an awful lot like a conversation with a chatbot.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
9 May 2026
-
As sea ice shrinks and expands, the surface ocean warms or cools.—
Hannah Richter,
Scientific American,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Decreases.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decreases. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
