Decline

Decline, as a verb, refers to a gradual and continuous decrease in quality, quantity, power, or importance. It can describe a physical deterioration, a diminishing of influence, a polite refusal, or a grammatical process. It often implies a negative trajectory, suggesting something is getting worse or less potent over time. Conversely, as a noun, decline refers to the process, result, or stage of declining, often indicating a period of diminishing strength or prominence. It signals a downturn from a previous, more favorable state.

Decline meaning with examples

The company's profits have been in decline for the last quarter, largely attributed to increased competition and shifting consumer preferences that leadership is working to reverse.
After battling the illness for several years, his health began to decline rapidly, leaving his family with many difficult decisions regarding palliative care and end-of-life options.
I must decline your generous invitation to the party as I already have a prior engagement, but I appreciate you thinking of me for social events.
In Latin, nouns decline to indicate their grammatical function within a sentence; for instance, the nominative case shows the subject.

Decline Synonyms

decrease descend deteriorate diminish reduce refuse reject slump wane weaken

Decline Antonyms

accept advance approve ascend flourish grow improve increase prosper rise

Decline Crossword Answers

3 Letters

DIP SAG EBB NIX

4 Letters

FALL SLIP FADE WANE SINK

5 Letters

ABATE LETUP SLIDE DECAY SLUMP SAYNO SAYNO SPURN

6 Letters

OPTOUT RECEDE PASSUP GODOWN WORSEN LESSEN REFUSE REJECT

7 Letters

GOSOUTH CORRECT RUNDOWN DESCENT ATROPHY

8 Letters

TURNDOWN LANGUISH DIMINISH DOWNTURN

9 Letters

DECLIVITY DOWNSLOPE

10 Letters

DEGENERATE DIMINUTION DECLENSION

11 Letters

GOTOTHEDOGS DECLINATION DEGRADATION DETERIORATE SENDREGRETS

12 Letters

DEGENERATION