DECLINING Synonyms: 355 Similar and Opposite Words

declining 1 of 3

adjective

di-ˈklī-niŋ

Definition of declining

as in bowing

bending downward or forward the declining flowers perked up with the gentle rainfall

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declining

2 of 3

noun

as in decline

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Dissimilar Words

declining

3 of 3

verb

present participle of decline

as in refusing

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in denying

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

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as in falling

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

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as in deteriorating

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 decreasing

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 plunging

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

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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 declining

Adjective

While pruning, remove any winter damage, along with dead and declining growths, to allow new shoots to reform the plant. — Tom MacCubbin, orlandosentinel.com, 6 Mar. 2021 In order to reopen, counties must demonstrate declining prevalence of COVID-19, testing ability of 30 tests per 10,000 residents per week, contact tracing and isolation facilities. — Fox News, 15 May 2020 During replanting, remove dead and declining portions, including old roots. — Tom MacCubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, 26 May 2018 According to a new analysis by the McKinsey Global Institute, 81 percent of the United States population is in an income bracket with flat or declining income over the last decade. — Neil Irwin, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2016

Noun

When Russians embrace the Eurasian narrative, they are also engaged in the political project of rejecting Europe and the West, which Putin and his allies deride as decadent, declining, and immoral. — Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 Reports showing inflation and unemployment declining have subsequently been released, and a nominee for the Federal Reserve chairman role has since been announced. — Matt Richardson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2026

Verb

Women naturally store less creatine than men, and during perimenopause and menopause, declining estrogen can take a toll on both muscle health and mental clarity. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 15 Oct. 2026 The result has been sturdy economic growth, even as lower-income and even middle-income households have continued to struggle under stubborn inflation and declining earnings. — Rob Wile, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2026 This process is evident in Egypt and Turkey, where declining mosque attendance has accompanied the growing appeal of liberal values, particularly secularism. — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Fewer students are choosing to go to college, and the number of high school graduates who could attend is falling due to a declining birthrate. — William Blomquist, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2026 The fashion show, which had experienced declining television ratings, was discontinued the following year. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026 The cost-saving change is part of an ongoing effort to slim down the 69-year-old National Health Interview Survey, which for years has been suffering from declining response rates. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 The declining murder rate in Memphis, Tennessee, is a prime example. — Patrik Jonsson, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Oct. 2026 By 2024, that network’s administrators announced plans to close seven of its 15 schools, citing declining enrollment and significant operating costs. — Mailee Smith, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for declining

Adjective

James O’Donoghue, a planetary scientist with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, likened our planet’s tilting phenomenon to a nodding head.

— Aylin Woodward, WSJ, 21 Dec. 2021

Definition of nodding

Verb

Even to the point of being fined and sanctioned by the European Union courts for refusing to open their gates to unchecked immigration, in Hungary’s case under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, while Poland faced sanctions in 2025.

— Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Carolyn Marvin was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after blocking the path of an Uber delivery robot and refusing to get out of the way.

— Terrence O'Brien, The Verge, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of refusing

Verb

Attorneys for two of them have gotten back to us, denying the allegations.

— Mahsa Saeidi, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
But there’s no denying the dynasty-chasing Dodgers are in trouble after the Brewers won games started by Los Angeles’ dynamic duo of Tarik Skubal and Yamamoto.

— Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of denying

Verb

The disruption has sent transits through the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb falling sharply after mostly recovering to their pre-war levels.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026
This all comes at a time when supply is falling — and falling faster than demand is recovering.

— Diana Olick, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of falling

Verb

Authorities warned against hiking this route this time of year due to deteriorating conditions and the onset of winter weather.

— Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Malaysia on Friday ordered hundreds of schools closed in several states because of deteriorating air quality.

— ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

One person, by the way, Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia , came out Thursday and said that CoreWeave is fine, doesn't need help — and, in fact, the company's cost of capital is actually decreasing because Nvidia chips more than hold their value.

— Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026
Experts say forever chemicals can have a major impact on your health, compromising immunity, decreasing fertility, causing developmental delays in children and increasing the risk of certain kinds of cancers.

— WCCO Staff, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of decreasing

Verb

Instead, as Israel moved closer to a historic agreement with Saudi Arabia, Hamas launched an assault that upended the region, plunging it into war.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
While her sculptural dress commanded attention with its plunging neckline and exaggerated peplum waist, her shoes provided a sleek, minimalist finish that tied the entire look together.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of plunging

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“Declining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declining. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of declining

adjective

noun

verb

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