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Definitions

decline

[dih-klahyn] / dɪˈklaɪn /
NOUN
lessening
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deterioration downturn drop failure fall recession slump weakening
STRONG
abatement backsliding comedown cropper decay decrepitude degeneracy degeneration descent devolution diminution dissolution dive downfall downgrade dwindling ebb ebbing enfeeblement failing flop lapse pratfall relapse senility skids wane waning worsening
WEAK
fall-off falling-off on the skids
Antonyms
STRONGEST
increase rise success
STRONG
accomplishment achievement ascent development growth improvement progress strength strengthening upgrade
WEAK
betterment
NOUN
downward change in value, position
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decrease dip downturn drop drop-off loss slide slump
STRONG
declivity depression descent downswing hill incline lapse lowering pitch sag slip slope
WEAK
downslide downtrend fall off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
increase rise success
STRONG
perfection
WEAK
ascent betterment improvement
VERB
say no
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deny dismiss refuse reject
STRONG
abjure abstain avoid balk bypass demur desist disapprove forbear forgo gainsay nix refrain renounce reprobate repudiate shy spurn
WEAK
beg to be excused don't buy not accept not hear of not think of pass on send regrets turn down turn thumbs down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept allow approve grant sanction
STRONG
agree continue go along indulge want
WEAK
say yes
VERB
lessen, become less
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decrease depreciate deteriorate diminish drop dwindle fail fall lower recede return sag shrink sink slide wane weaken worsen
STRONG
abate backslide cheapen decay degenerate disintegrate droop ebb fade flag languish lapse pine relapse retrograde revert rot settle subside
WEAK
disimprove fall off go downhill go to pot go to the dogs hit the skids lose value
Antonyms
STRONGEST
advance ascend develop enlarge expand extend grow improve increase raise reach rise strengthen win
STRONG
build enhance flourish progress
WEAK
go up
VERB
descend
Synonyms
STRONGEST
dip drop fall go down lower sag sink
STRONG
droop set settle slant slope
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend go up increase raise rise
STRONG
even level
WEAK
improve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Instead, this decline reflects something else: deliberate policy choices that increase friction for participants and vendors.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Corporate insiders, far from turning more bearish during March’s stock-market decline, are slightly more bullish than they were in February.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

Now businesses that once printed money are in decline.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

The consensus call is for a 1% month-over-month decline for new orders for durable manufactured goods to $318 billion.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Ralph was an unusual partner for Karen, but she was in such serious decline that nothing she did made any sense to her friends and family.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.