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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

declining

2 of 3

noun

as in decline

Related Words

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Chinese firms have been suffering from declining profit growth amid intense competition that has eroded margins and even invited the government to step in. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2026 While program closures at colleges and universities often result from declining enrollment or a financial crisis, our decisions at Valencia are driven by neither. — Kathleen Plinske, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 While declining to provide revenue figures, the CEO said the company is targeting year-over-year growth in the double-digit range, especially through direct-to-consumer. — Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 Los Angeles’ 100 defeats ultimately ended Kurt Suzuki’s one-season tenure, with the team declining its 2027 option on his contract. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2026 Faced with declining revenue on untaxed cigarette sales, a traditionally reliable source of income, the tribe has diversified into cannabis dispensaries, music festivals and rodeos. — Jason Motlagh, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2026 Despite the declining participation numbers, some Massachusetts programs are thriving. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026 That will leave even less money to pay for the growing costs of a declining number of sicker ObamaCare enrollees. — Merrill Matthews, Washington Post, 21 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

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

Noun

Among the relics of its decline is a hulking complex of rusted pipes, towers and conveyor belts in Delano, just five miles north of the McFarland chipping yard.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
The stock was down -7% in premarket trading Wednesday, to under $64/share, a decline of nearly 30% year-to-date to the lowest point since August 2024.

— Todd Spangler, Variety, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of decline

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

The referendum would authorize Miami to issue $450 million in general obligation bonds to repair or replace deteriorating police and fire-rescue facilities, including construction of a new public safety building near Miami Freedom Park.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Declining industrial demand can make the electricity balance sheet look healthier, when the reality is that the economy is deteriorating under the pressure of relentless attacks.

— Tatiana Mitrova, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of deteriorating

Verb

The sharp shoulders of the gown featured an extra layer of black lace, with a slightly plunging neckline that continued the scalloped motif incorporated throughout.

— Julia Teti, Footwear News, 23 Oct. 2026
Kardashian’s plunging corset dress featured several midriff cutouts and a semi-sheer, floor-length skirt in black.

— Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of plunging

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Style

“Declining.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/declining. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of declining

adjective

noun

verb

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