DECREASE Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'decrease' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate , diminish , dwindle , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Q: When would 'abate' be a good substitute for 'decrease'?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When could 'diminish' be used to replace 'decrease'?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When can 'dwindle' be used instead of 'decrease'?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lessen' instead of 'decrease'?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. // has been unable to lessen her debt

Q: When might 'reduce' be a better fit than 'decrease'?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease , reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. // you must reduce your caloric intake

decrease 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈkrēs

Definition of decrease

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decrease

2 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌkrēs

as in reduction

the amount by which something is lessened the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decrease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate, diminish, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When would abate be a good substitute for decrease?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could diminish be used to replace decrease?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can dwindle be used instead of decrease?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When is it sensible to use lessen instead of decrease?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than decrease?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

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 decrease

Verb

City and state leaders announced that millions of dollars will be going into communities to continue their work to decrease vacant properties in Baltimore. — Bryant Reed, CBS News, 2 July 2026 Employees hearing that resources will continue to decrease while expectations will increase erodes productivity. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Noun

It has been thought that hormone-replacement therapy puts women at risk for breast cancer, but newer data suggests that this is not necessarily true, and one form of estrogen seems to be associated with a decrease in breast cancer. — Hannah Jocelyn, New Yorker, 1 July 2026 One of the lasting side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and our catastrophically incompetent response to it is the decrease in trust in public health experts and their advice. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for decrease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease

Verb

Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.

— Gavin Escott, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Displaying tactical discipline and superior talent, the English national team defeated Mexico 3-2 with a lineup reduced to 10 men on Sunday night.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.

— NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026
The union said that unresolved complaints made against Hawk and existing climate issues have significantly diminished confidence among many educators.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 July 2026

Definition of diminish

Noun

In Cañon City, Colorado, authorities are aiming for a 20% to 30% reduction in water use while asking residents to voluntarily conserve outdoor water consumption.

— Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 5 July 2026
Voltage reductions were also happening earlier in the day in parts of Staten Island, Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Westchester, Con Edison spokesperson Jamie McShane told CNN.

— Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of reduction

Verb

Best Linen Pants Deals When blazing-hot afternoons suddenly subside into breezy evenings, linen pants help keep you cool while offering the right amount of coverage.

— Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 4 July 2026
Investors’ fears of Anthropic’s Mythos model, which was launched in April, upending all cybersecurity software businesses, have since subsided.

— Kirk Ogunrinde, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of subside

Noun

Surveys showing a decline in Americans who see democracy as important.

— Chris Kenning, USA Today, 2 July 2026
This decision stems from chronic staffing shortages, crumbling infrastructure, budget constraints, and a substantial decline in the federal inmate population, which peaked in 2013 and has since fallen by nearly 30%.

— Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of decline

Noun

The patriotic ball drop is scheduled to air at midnight ET on CNN as July 3 turns into July 4 in Times Square.

— Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 4 July 2026
Tesla’s results – which came in above expectations – indicate the company may be recovering after two straight years of annual sales drops and the removal EV tax credits in the US, which has lowered the incentive for prospective American buyers.

— Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Definition of drop

Verb

Despite hot, humid conditions, a respectable crowd has already gathered, with organizers expecting attendance to grow as temperatures ease later this evening.

— Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
This would let traffic flow, which is so necessary for the vitality and economy of Chicago; provide a safer route for bikers; and ease the frustration of all of those on the streets of Chicago.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of ease

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“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of decrease

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