decrease 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈkrēs How to pronounce decrease (audio)
Definition of decreasenext
1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to diminish
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decrease

2 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌkrēs How to pronounce decrease (audio)
as in reduction
the amount by which something is lessened the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decrease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate, diminish, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When would abate be a good substitute for decrease?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could diminish be used to replace decrease?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can dwindle be used instead of decrease?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When is it sensible to use lessen instead of decrease?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than decrease?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of decrease
Verb
And so, the goal becomes to decrease your rate of natural loss and build your bone mass. —Holly Carter, People.com, 1 Apr. 2025 The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget U.S. Budget Watch, a nonprofit, estimated such a tax would eventually cause a loss in U.S. revenue as the high tax would likely decrease imports from China by some 85%. —Solcyré Burga, Time, 1 Apr. 2025
Noun
Fuel efficiency decreases by 0.2% for each 1 PSI decrease. —Rob Lewallen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Apr. 2025 That’s an 80% decrease from 2003 when there were 7,465 robberies. —Michael Loria, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for decrease
Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
  1. reduce
  2. diminish
  3. reduction
  4. subside
  5. decline
  6. fall
  7. drop
  8. ease
Verb
  • This has, among other losses, reduced Egyptian revenue from the Suez Canal by about eight hundred million dollars a month.
    — Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Cost Savings: Automation reduces labor costs and minimizes errors.
    — Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • As time went on, her pain diminished, but August decided to go to the emergency room.
    — Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 3 Apr. 2025
  • The VMAs, which have seen their social capital diminish over the past few years, delivered a promising ceremony in 2024.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of diminish
Noun
  • Recognize The Risks Of A Trade War To Everyone The last major trade war of the 1930s was accompanied by a 60% reduction in global trade.
    — Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • There is a fear that this settlement will ultimately lead to a dramatic reduction in spots available, although no one knows for sure.
    — Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Apr. 2025
Definition of reduction
Verb
  • The swelling in the area never subsided, prompting surgery to clean up bone spurs that had traveled dangerously close to his Achilles tendon.
    — Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The rain, expected to begin late Sunday, will subside by Monday afternoon, but below-average temperatures will hang around all week, according to the National Weather Service.
    — Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
Definition of subside
Noun
  • Apparel exports from Turkey saw a decline of 6 percent in January-February 2025, and a drop of 4.47 percent year-on-year in 2024, with the last month of the year falling almost 11 percent.
    — Mayu Saini, Sourcing Journal, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Walmart's stock has experienced a notable decline amid a nationwide boycott and broader market volatility.
    — Gordon G. Chang, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • However, that fight fell apart in early March, when a hand injury forced Whyte from the card.
    — Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield fell as low as 4% as investors turned to bonds in their search for safety.
    — Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of fall
Noun
  • The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,400 points, marking a 3.5 percent drop.
    — Aris Folley, The Hill, 7 Apr. 2025
  • And despite that feathery physique, the watch is said to be shock resistant to the equivalent of a five-meter drop.
    — Robin Swithinbank, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of drop
Verb
  • And because stablecoin issuers often secure their stablecoins by buying U.S. Treasuries, an increase in stablecoin demand could help ease the burden of the U.S.’s ballooning debt, proponents argue.
    — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Mobilizing the tissue throughout the day by rolling your foot on a massage, lacrosse, or tennis ball can also ease discomfort, as can self-massage and ice, Dr. Malek says.
    — Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of ease

Browse Nearby Words

decoys
decrease
decreased
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Cite this Entry

“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.

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