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
Relevance
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
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of decrease
Stephanie Stremplewski, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Jan. 2026
Since then, the incidence of meningococcal disease in adolescents has decreased by more than 90%, according to CDC data.
—Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Stellantis posted a 3% decrease in sales for 2025, compared with the previous year.
—Liam Rappleye, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for decrease
Verb
The number of non-fatal shootings in the Metro area decreased by 28%, from 362 in 2024 to 262 last year.
—Noun
Last year, oil prices fell by almost 20%, the largest annual decrease since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, amid a supply gut.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease
Verb
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During his January 2025 State of the State address, Little called for tax cuts that could reduce the state’s general fund by about $100 million.—
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To reduce sizes, builders are going back to open floor plans with fewer hallways.—
Verb
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Still seething after a sloppy 19-16 loss to the Detroit Lions, Johnson wasn’t hiding his dissatisfaction with a defeat that seemed to diminish his team’s momentum.—
-
Kaufman moved there 30 years ago, and since that time the island’s community has diminished by degrees, its youth lured away by better employment prospects in Provo and overseas.—
Noun
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The company strips out nonessential systems and designs each component around mass reduction.—
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On Wednesday, city leaders said the strategy has driven the recent crime reduction.—
Verb
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Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
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These findings have prompted the development of interventions designed to create time and space between an individual’s suicidal impulse and access to firearms, allowing acute urges to subside.—
Noun
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Wholesale market prices for milk, cheese and butter have been lower than normal for about a year, but had more of a significant decline in the past six months, Cain said.—
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Today, similar prudence animates concerns about NATO and broader trans-Atlantic ties in an era when Europe has undergone profound transformations through mass migration, supranational governance, demographic decline, and shifting cultural priorities.—
Verb
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Two things happened on that blustery back-to-school morning that fell exactly a month after my eleventh birthday.—
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Midway through the third quarter, true freshman linebacker Mason Posa, buried on the depth chart just weeks ago, ripped the ball loose at Washington’s 7-yard line and fell on it himself.—
Noun
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Mix a combination of two teaspoons of cream of tartar and a few drops of lemon juice to form a paste.—
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Reformation Lluvia Dress As Reformation gears up for its 2026 collection drops, the store is marking down some of last year’s best-selling sweaters, dresses, shoes, and pants.—
Verb
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The Panthers will look to establish their run game to ease pressure on Bryce Young.—
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The review also supports earlier findings that gum chewing can ease stress, but only in certain situations.—
Cite this Entry
“Decrease.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/decrease. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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