Decline — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

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"

to be unwilling to grant

"declined our request to hold a party"

to go to a lower level especially abruptly

"new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years"

to become worse or of less value

"his reputation as a writer began to decline not long after his death"

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually

"the winds should decline as soon as the cold front passes"

to lead or extend downward

"the bike path declines toward the riverbank and then follows the river for several miles"

a gradual sinking and wasting away of mind or body

"her sad decline from a robust athlete to an old woman with arthritis"

a change to a lower state or level

"the decline of the Roman Empire"

a downward slope

"the bicyclist lost control on the unexpectedly steep decline"

a loss of status

"the engagement at the small club was an unmistakable sign of the rock band's decline"

the amount by which something is lessened

"a huge decline in the value of the artwork after its authenticity was questioned"