1
as in to refuse
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
he declined the invitation to the party she declined to participate in the soccer game
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
declined our request to hold a party
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to fall
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to deteriorate
to become worse or of less value
his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in to plunge
to lead or extend downward
the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in deterioration
a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body
her sad decline from a robust athlete to an old woman with arthritis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in declination
a change to a lower state or level
the decline of the Roman Empire
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in downhill
a downward slope
the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in demise
a loss of status
the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned
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 decline
Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Blain declined to comment on the lawsuit after it was filed.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The stock had plunged 14% on Thursday, its biggest decline in almost three months, wiping out $153 billion from the electric-vehicle maker’s market value.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Verb
The White House declined to comment about a potential TikTok sale.
—Greta Cross, USA Today, 6 June 2025
Blain declined to comment on the lawsuit after it was filed.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Noun
And the Pew research also showed one interesting trend; after years of decline, Gen Z is driving somewhat of a religious revival.
—Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
The stock had plunged 14% on Thursday, its biggest decline in almost three months, wiping out $153 billion from the electric-vehicle maker’s market value.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
-
However, the end of the conversation was probably the headline – that Amodei refused to rule out AI becoming self-aware in key ways.—
John Werner,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
-
Wyatt, the senior ace on his way to Michigan, and Walker, the gritty junior second baseman who refused to give up on his dream of starting, paused when trying to wrap their heads around the scene unfolding around them.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
31 May 2025
Verb
-
The university in January 2024 denied Tucker’s appeal of the findings.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
-
According to officers, the man acknowledged engaging in lewd behavior and taking photos of children but denied touching anyone.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Verb
-
In May 2022 — three years ago — Caltrans estimated that the project would cost $433 million, meaning that in addition to falling behind schedule, the cost has gone up by about $96 million in that time.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2025
-
In 2023, the number of fatalities fell slightly, to six fatal boating incidents resulting in seven deaths, according to state data.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
3 June 2025
Verb
-
Fiscal Policy Without exception, the fiscal position of large countries, including the United States, as measured by government debt relative to GDP, deteriorated due to the impact of spending during the pandemic.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
But the age and condition of the fleet could deteriorate further, even with an infusion of cash to buy new equipment, because the wait times are so long.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
These students, many already at an educational disadvantage, are left with instability, fewer learning opportunities and decreased academic performance.—
Lakeisha Wells Palmer,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 June 2025
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
1 June 2025
Verb
-
Any amount of sustained rain, much less a hurricane in what’s expected to be a busy season, can plunge the nation into more distress.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 June 2025
-
Even as her job at The Dial plunged her deeper into the heart of Transcendentalism, Fuller began to separate herself from the movement.—
James Marcus,
New Yorker,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
They are then transported to the Berkhamsted conservation center, where their condition is examined for deterioration.—
Benny Har-Even,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Nationwide, the ramifications of deportation for these key citizens will affect all of us, which can lead to deterioration of our healthcare system, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, home health aides, etc.—
Rachel Blumberg,
Sun Sentinel,
3 June 2025
Noun
-
Where corporate criminal investigations resolve without filing any criminal charges (through a declination or deferred prosecution agreement), companies should expect victims to still voice their views loudly to the Justice Department and beyond.—
Lisa Zornberg,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
-
The sun's changing declination is what determines whether the sun's rays strike us at a low angle or more directly.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
6 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share