English dictionary



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English noun: decline

1. decline (process) change toward something smaller or lower


Synonymsdiminution


Broader (hypernym)decrease, decrement


Narrower (hyponym)declension, decline in quality, deterioration, detumescence, ebb, ebbing, erosion, loss, nosedive, sinking spell, slippage, wane, worsening

2. decline (state) a condition inferior to an earlier condition; a gradual falling off from a better state


Synonymsdeclination


Broader (hypernym)condition, status


Narrower (hyponym)disuse, neglect, twilight, wreck


Antonymsmelioration, improvement

3. decline (process) a gradual decrease; as of stored charge or current


Synonymsdecay


Broader (hypernym)decrease, decrement


Narrower (hyponym)exponential decay, exponential return

4. decline (object) a downward slope or bend


Synonymsdeclension, declination, declivity, descent, downslope, fall


Broader (hypernym)incline, side, slope


Narrower (hyponym)downhill, steep


Antonymsacclivity, ascent, climb, upgrade, raise, rise


English verb: decline

1. decline (change) grow worse


SamplesConditions in the slum worsened.


ExamplesThe stock market is going to decline , The business is going to decline


Synonymsworsen


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s


Broader (hypernym)change state, turn


Narrower (hyponym)come down, degenerate, deprive, deteriorate, devolve, drop, drop away, drop off, fail, fall away, impoverish, inflame, lose, regress, retrograde, retrogress, sicken, slip, suffer, suffer, tumble, turn down


Antonymsameliorate, improve, meliorate, better

2. decline (possession) refuse to accept


SamplesHe refused my offer of hospitality.


ExamplesThey decline the money


Synonymspass up, refuse, reject, turn down


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s something from somebody


Narrower (hyponym)bounce, dishonor, dishonour


Verb groupdisdain, freeze off, pooh-pooh, reject, scorn, spurn, turn down


Antonymsaccept, take, have

3. decline (communication) show unwillingness towards


SamplesHe declined to join the group on a hike.


ExamplesThey decline to move


Synonymsrefuse


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)react, respond


Narrower (hyponym)contract out, disdain, disobey, freeze off, pooh-pooh, regret, reject, repudiate, scorn, spurn, turn down


Antonymsconsent, go for, accept

4. decline (change) grow smaller


SamplesInterest in the project waned.


Synonymsgo down, wane


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)decrease, diminish, fall, lessen


Narrower (hyponym)dip, drop, wear on

5. decline (motion) go down


SamplesThe roof declines here.


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Something is ----ing PP


Broader (hypernym)drop


Narrower (hyponym)dip, sink

6. decline (motion) go down in value


SamplesThe stock market corrected.
Prices slumped.


Synonymscorrect, slump


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)come down, descend, fall, go down

7. decline (communication) inflect for number, gender, case, etc.,


SamplesIn many languages, speakers decline nouns, pronouns, and adjectives.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)inflect









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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