decline

A fall in the amount, number, or value of something.

• Sales showed a decline.
• The town has seen a steady decline in population.
• What caused the sudden decline in prices?

How to use it: decline in something (There was a decline in ticket sales.); decline of an amount (The figures show a decline of ten percent.)

Similar words: decrease, fall, drop, reduction

Opposites: increase, rise

Common phrases: sharp decline, steady decline, decline in sales

A change in which someone or something becomes weaker or worse.

• His health is in decline.
• The report describes the decline of the old empire.
• Regular exercise may slow physical decline.

How to use it: decline in something (Her family noticed a decline in her health.); be in decline (The industry has been in decline for years.)

Similar words: deterioration, weakening, decay

Opposites: improvement, recovery

Common phrases: decline in health, mental decline, in decline

A stretch of ground or road that slopes down.

• The road ends in a decline.
• We slowed the cart on the steep decline.
• A gentle decline led down to the river.

Similar words: downward slope, descent

Opposites: incline

Common phrases: steep decline, gentle decline, on a decline

Movement from a higher position to a lower one.

• The balloon began a slow decline.
• A sudden decline in altitude alarmed the pilot.
• The instrument recorded the aircraft's gradual decline.

Similar words: descent, fall

Opposites: ascent, rise

Common phrases: sudden decline, gradual decline

To become lower in number, amount, or value, or to move downward.

• Prices are declining.
• Demand declined sharply last year.
• Will the number of visitors decline in winter?

How to use it: decline by an amount (Sales declined by eight percent.); decline from A to B (The population declined from six thousand to five thousand.); decline in something (The shares declined in value.)

Similar words: fall, drop, decrease

Opposites: rise, increase

Common phrases: decline sharply, decline steadily, decline in value

To say politely that you will not accept something or do something.

• I declined the offer.
• They invited her to speak, but she declined.
• The manager declined to discuss the complaint.

How to use it: decline something (She declined the invitation.); decline to do something (He declined to answer the question.)

Similar words: refuse, turn down

Opposites: accept

Common phrases: decline an offer, decline an invitation, politely decline

To become weaker or worse in condition.

• His health declined.
• The patient's condition has declined since yesterday.
• Some physical abilities decline with age.

Similar words: worsen, deteriorate, weaken

Opposites: improve, recover

Common phrases: decline rapidly, decline with age

To turn away from a direction or path.

• The path declines to the left.
• The line declined slightly from the straight course.
• Beyond the gate, the road declines from its former direction.

How to use it: decline from something (The line declines from its original course.)

Similar words: deviate, veer, turn aside

Common phrases: decline from something, decline to one side