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- pronunciation:
- dih
klaIn
- parts of speech:
- verb, noun
- features:
- 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 |
derivations: |
declinable (adj.), decliner (n.) |
The word decline
contains the following parts:
de-
Latin
prefix
that means from; away from; down from; reverse, negate.
Example words:
biodegradable, debate, decay, deceive, deception, decide, decision, decline, decode, deduct, defer, deform, defy, degrade, dehydrate, delete, demerit, depend, deport, deprive, descend, describe, description, desegregate, design, designate, despise, detach, detect, detract, independence
- synonyms:
- dis-, un-
clin, cline
Greek
root
that means lean, slope
Example words:
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