Decline meaning

What does “decline” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“decline” is a noun and verb with 11 meanings. Its most common meaning is: change toward something smaller or lower.

decline

change toward something smaller or lower
Synonymsdiminution
a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state
Synonymsdeclination
Oppositesimprovement
a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current
Synonymsdecay
a downward slope or bend
Synonymsdescent declivity fall declination declension downslope

grow worse
“Conditions in the slum worsened”
Synonymsworsen
refuse to accept
“He refused my offer of hospitality”
Synonymsrefuse reject pass up turn down
show unwillingness towards
“he declined to join the group on a hike”
Synonymsrefuse
grow smaller
“Interest in the project waned”
Synonymsgo down wane
go down
“The roof declines here”
go down in value
“the stock market corrected”
“prices slumped”
Synonymsslump correct
inflect for number, gender, case, etc.
“in many languages, speakers decline nouns, pronouns, and adjectives”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University