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- pronunciation:
- dih
klaIn
- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word Parts
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
declines, declining, declined |
| definition 1: |
to refuse to do, in a polite way.
He declined to accept the award because he felt he didn't deserve it.- synonyms:
- refuse
- similar words:
- deny
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| definition 2: |
to grow weaker or smaller gradually.
My health is declining.The show's popularity has declined since one of the stars left.- synonyms:
- abate, decrease, deteriorate, ebb, fail, fall, lessen, wane, weaken
- antonyms:
- blossom, thrive
- similar words:
- collapse, decay, diminish, dwindle, fade away, lag, slip, subside, taper, waste
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| definition 3: |
to slope or slant downward.
The road declines sharply here.- synonyms:
- dip, fall, plunge, sink, slope
- similar words:
- slant
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| related words: |
abstain, age, ail, decrease, fall, lessen, refuse, reject, sag, scorn, slump, suffer, trail, wane, weaken, wilt |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition: |
a drop or loss.
Last year, there was a decline in the number of crimes.- synonyms:
- deterioration, drop, loss
- antonyms:
- development, growth, rise
- similar words:
- decrease
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| related words: |
depression, dip, lapse |
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| derivations: |
declinable (adj.), decliner (n.) |
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