DECLINES Synonyms: 418 Similar and Opposite Words

declines 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of decline

as in refuses

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

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Relevance

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as in denies

to be unwilling to grant declined our request to hold a party

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as in falls

to go to a lower level especially abruptly new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years

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as in deteriorates

to become worse or of less value his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death

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as in decreases

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes

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as in plunges

to lead or extend downward the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles

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declines

2 of 2

noun

plural of decline

as in deteriorations

a change to a lower state or level the decline of the Roman Empire

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as in dips

a downward slope the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline

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as in demises

a loss of status the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline

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as in reductions

the amount by which something is lessened a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned

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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 declines

Verb

The fee applies during the first 13 years of the agreement and gradually declines over the remaining initial term. — Sydney Sasser, Arkansas Online, 1 Sep. 2026 Recent findings show that early-career workers – ages 22 to 25 – in occupations most vulnerable to AI automation, such as software development and customer service, have experienced employment declines. — Maria Black, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2026 Across Illinois and the nation, hospitals have been closing inpatient pediatric units and shuttering high-acuity Level 1 facilities as reimbursement declines. — Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 Reuters ' analysis of the poll found that declines in support for the war were driven by Republicans turning against the war. — James Powel, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026 Every other Swift collection on the roster declines this frame. — Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Rent declines from a year ago are concentrated in the South and Mountain West regions. — Diana Olick, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026 Building blocks under strain State and local policies may also have played a role in childcare enrollment declines. — Will Hammann, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 Understand that viewership already declines considerably when both are absent. — Bobby Burack Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

While not impacting immediate fuel prices, as development will take 7-10 years, the 100-year agreement aims to offset future declines in domestic shale production. — David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 In Asia, markets fell with South Korean equities leading declines in the region. — Lee Ying Shan,fred Imbert, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026 Of the 316 campuses that the district has reported student attendance data from February 2012 to February 2026, 254 of them (more than 80%) have seen enrollment declines. — Austin Horn, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 The Common App report showed double-digit declines in applications from Asia and Africa, but the number of European students applying to American campuses also fell by 4%, reversing years of steady increases. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Thailand’s SET index are both up around 25% for the year; even after recent declines, South Korea’s KOSPI is almost 60% higher year-to-date. — Angelica Ang, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2026 Invest in Louisiana’s Fields said SNAP enrollment declines have broader consequences. — Geoff Mulvihill, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The two reservoirs on the Colorado River continue to see declines as the region faces drought and water use concerns. — Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declines

Verb

But Buddy, the feature debut of Casper Kelly, lets the genre’s relentlessly upbeat tone slowly curdle in the opening sequence, in which one of the kids refuses to play along with day’s lesson about being brave and trying new things.

— Alison Willmore, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
With his final book, however, Morris refuses to draw conclusions, letting the ambiguity of Surrealists’ meanings stand.

— Kelly Presutti, ARTnews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuses

Verb

In the lawsuit, Kupsh acknowledges attending most of the demonstrations but denies being a ringleader, blocking anyone from campus walkways or refusing orders.

— Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Meta denies these claims, asserting human decisions guide workforce management.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of denies

Verb

The company says its reactor’s electrical output falls within the range of a high-performance vehicle drivetrain.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Sep. 2026
If Colorado’s 2027 first-round pick is not transferred to the Toronto Maple Leafs or if its 2028 first-round pick falls within the top 10, Nashville instead gets Colorado’s 2029 first-round pick.

— Peter Baugh, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of falls

Verb

Fertility in women decreases gradually but significantly at age 32 and rapidly after 37, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

— Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
While passengers often remain seated for hours at a time, crew spend the majority of the flight on their feet, which decreases their chances of stiffness.

— Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026