DECLINE Synonyms: 444 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

decline 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈklīn

Definition of decline next

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

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as in to deny

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

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as in to fall

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

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as in to deteriorate

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 to decrease

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 to plunge

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

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decline

2 of 2

noun

di-ˈklīn

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

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as in declination

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

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as in downhill

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

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as in demise

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 decrease

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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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

The local prosecutor’s office also declined to comment, citing a pending investigation. —

Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025 To pressure Canada into joining the U.S., the McKinley tariff explicitly declined to make an exception for Canadian products. —

Marc-William Palen / Made By History, TIME, 6 Feb. 2025

Noun

That’s a significant decline and a clear sign that our current approach is failing. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025 Those predictions have galvanized the political right, combining a sense of cultural decline with xenophobia to persuade voters that a return to traditional American values — which means more child-rearing — is the solution. —

Dylan Scott, Vox, 5 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for decline

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decline

Verb

Three were transported to nearby hospitals to receive treatments, and one refused medical help.

— Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Feb. 2025
For that reason, employers often reserve the right to refuse some requests.

— Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2025