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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

decline

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noun

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word decline different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of decline are refuse, reject, repudiate, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When might refuse be a better fit than decline?

While in some cases nearly identical to decline, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

When would reject be a good substitute for decline?

The words reject and decline can be used in similar contexts, but reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When is it sensible to use repudiate instead of decline?

The synonyms repudiate and decline are sometimes interchangeable, but repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

Where would spurn be a reasonable alternative to decline?

While the synonyms spurn and decline are close in meaning, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

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
Verb
Martinez declined a $16 million option with the Padres after the 2023 season. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2025 The pic looks to decline around 60% or more, so $5.6M. Perkins’ previous NEON horror film, Longlegs, eased -47% in weekend 2 last July off a C+ Cinemascore, which is the same grade that The Monkey obtained. Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
Why Leaders Are Resigning: The Three Critical Factors Erosion Of Trust in Leadership The report shows that only 29% of employees trust their immediate managers—a dramatic decline. Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 In total, German exports added up to 1.56 trillion euros last year, a 1.2% decline compared with 2023. Associated Press, TIME, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decline
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline
Verb
  • In hearings at the Constitutional Court, which is deliberating whether to formally remove Mr. Yoon from office, both Lieutenant General Lee and Lieutenant General Yeo refused to discuss details of their roles for fear that their testimony would be used against them during their own criminal trials.
    Choe Sang-Hun, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2025
  • In response, the woman not only refused to bake a cake this year but also skipped the party altogether.
    William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • In most fields workers are prone to deny a problem and even pretend to enjoy the abuse.
    James L. Edwards III, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
  • The Idaho Senate this week approved a joint resolution to deny voters the authority to legalize cannabis through a statewide ballot initiative.
    A.J. Herrington, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • After this, oil production will fall, albeit slowly toward 2050, as decarbonization proceeds and more electric vehicles take to the roads.
    Ian Dexter Palmer, Forbes, 12 Mar. 2025
  • For 2025, Kohl’s expects revenue to fall 5% to 7%, compared with Wall Street estimates of a 1.6% decrease, according to LSEG.
    Russell Leung, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.
    Joel Carboni, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.
    Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • New York Open Data showed that certain types of delays, such as those related to braking issues, rail and roadbed problems and service delivery, decreased on the A line from September to December.
    Nic F. Anderson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Tesla Stock Price Drop: Why TSLA Crashed 50% Since December And The Impact On Investors Tesla stock has plunged by over 50% since December, a dramatic collapse that has stunned shareholders and analysts alike.
    Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Stocks had plunged on Monday morning, continuing three consecutive weeks of losses, with the technology-laden Nasdaq marking its worst day since September 2022 and the Dow shedding 890 points to close beneath its 200-moving average for the first time since late 2023.
    Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • This industry is the major culprit in the bay’s deterioration.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2025
  • In the fourth quarter, revenues were up 2 percent at constant exchange rates, returning to growth after several quarters of deterioration, mainly thanks to the improvement recorded by the wholesale channel.
    Luisa Zargani, WWD, 13 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In contrast, during 2016-16 the lunar declination varied from only 18.5 degrees north to 18.5 degrees south.
    Joe Rao, Space.com, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Red and declinations to rust and burgundy at Ferragamo and Bottega Veneta.
    WWD, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

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Cite this Entry

“Decline.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decline. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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