DECREASES Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

decreases 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of decrease

as in reduces

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in diminishes

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decreases

2 of 2

noun

plural of decrease

as in reductions

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

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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 decreases

Verb

Later in the week and into the weekend, the chance of rain decreases with spotty showers possible through Halloween weekend. — CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Studies have found that having strong muscles significantly decreases the higher risk of disease and early death that’s linked to chronic inflammation. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 20 Oct. 2026 Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns. — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 The peak height of the histogram decreases as the number of tosses, N, gets larger. — Dana MacKenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026 Cross-chaining also decreases how efficiently the drivetrain relays pedaling power from the crankset to the rear wheel. — New Atlas, 13 Oct. 2026 In addition, insulin sensitivity — or how effectively the body responds to the hormone insulin — also generally decreases at night. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 9 Oct. 2026 The drink—also known simply as beet juice—decreases inflammation and is rich in nitrates, which help relax blood vessels and allow blood to flow more freely. — Christina Manian, HEALTH, 7 Oct. 2026 Greek yogurt goes through a straining process that doubles the amount of protein and decreases the amount of sugar compared to regular yogurt. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Noun

Even with efforts to provide additional access to harm-reduction protections, escalating criminal penalties have not produced the treatment gains or decreases in overdose deaths in Colorado that proponents promised. — Joshua Barocas, The Conversation, 16 Oct. 2026 When evidence is incomplete or when confidence decreases and risk increases, autonomy should be reduced and the human boundary tightened. — Asaf Wiener, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 With the latest decreases in cotton prices, a divergence has emerged with the oil market. — Sj Guest Editorial, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026 Although Kentucky and Oklahoma exhibited decreases in relative Democratic turnout, more people voted in 2026 Democratic primaries than 2022 Democratic primaries in those states. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 The average gas price dropped a few cents a gallon in South Florida this week after double-digit decreases last week. — Miami Herald Staff Report, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 However, the city remains on track to record its fourth straight year of double-digit percentage decreases. — Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 12 Oct. 2026 Separately, several research groups are exploring whether heat can help treat depression, building on a landmark study that showed meaningful decreases in symptoms after one session in a special infrared machine. — Will Stone, NPR, 11 Oct. 2026 The decreases come as the CTA boosted law enforcement on the system at the federal government’s behest, a move that threatened to withhold funding from the transit agency after last year’s Blue Line attack. — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decreases

Verb

The anti-immigrant movement reduces kids to constitutional hypotheticals and demographic statistics.

— Hannah Harshe, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
That gives Jaylen Warren a favorable matchup and reduces the need for Aaron Rodgers to force throws downfield.

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

The local control is missing and the local responsibility diminishes significantly.

— John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns.

— Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of diminishes

Noun

In an internal memo, Qualcomm Chief Executive Officer Cristiano Amon stated the reductions aim to foster a stronger performance culture and address ongoing shortfalls relative to operational expectations.

— , CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
In a clinical study of 194 patients, 80% of them reported significant reductions in knee pain that lasted for at least a full year after receiving the treatment.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of reductions

Verb

Chadchart said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials are working to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
Ideally, those refugees would remain in human care for years or even decades until the mussel invasion subsides.

— CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of subsides

Noun

In another set of studies, adults who made more frequent and extreme upward comparisons reported an immediate decline in self-evaluation and cumulative declines in self-esteem and life satisfaction over a browsing session.

— Ashwini Nadkarni, Time, 24 Oct. 2026
Negative divergences alone don't necessarily lead to immediate declines.

— Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of declines

Verb

The 6% lead for the No side falls outside the poll’s margin of error, which was around 3% according to PPIC.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026
The Hamptons If your trip falls between late spring and early fall and you’re situated on the East Coast, a trip to the Hamptons will likely be hassle-free enough for everyone involved.

— Vogue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of falls

Noun

Behavioral science research shows that when change is imposed from above, employees push back productivity drops, and resentment rises.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026
Add a few drops of water, and these flavors are amplified, but the fierce heat is toned down that otherwise hits you on the back palate.

— Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of drops

Verb

Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the visible faces of the Southwest’s critical water problem, as the Colorado River — which supplies water to nearly 40 million people — shrinks due to a combination of climate change and human demand.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026
That offset shrinks to only 38mm when installing a 280mm radiator kit.

— Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026