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Definitions

decrease

[dih-krees, dee-krees, dih-krees] / dɪˈkris, ˈdi kris, dɪˈkris /
NOUN
diminishing, lessening
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contraction cutback decline discount downturn loss reduction shrinkage
STRONG
abatement compression condensation constriction declining depression diminution dwindling ebb markdown subsidence waning
WEAK
decrescence falling-off striction
Antonyms
STRONGEST
enlargement increase rise
STRONG
markup
WEAK
addition development expansion growth raise
VERB
grow less or make less
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate curb curtail cut down decline depreciate deteriorate diminish drop drop off dwindle ease ebb fall off lessen lower reduce shrink sink slacken slash slump soften subside wane weaken
STRONG
check contract crumble decay degenerate devaluate droop evaporate fade lighten modify quell quiet restrain settle shrivel waste wither
WEAK
calm down die down dry up let up lose edge narrow down peter out run low slack off slow down tail off wear away wear down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend compliment develop enlarge expand extend go up grow improve increase irritate laud lengthen praise prolong raise rise strengthen
STRONG
build liberate upset
WEAK
add

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Nivea-maker maintained its guidance for the current year after posting a decrease in first-quarter sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 21, 2026

“We did see a big decrease in confidence among retirees this year — a decline that we haven’t seen since post-COVID,” said Craig Copeland, director of wealth benefits research at EBRI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

“Once you increase your withdrawals, it’s effectively permanent. You’re unlikely to decrease them,” Bengen tells Barron’s.

From Barron's • Apr. 19, 2026

However, their numbers have dropped from 27,000 in 2016 to 12,500 in 2025 - a decrease that the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has dubbed an "unusual mortality event".

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

The total entropy of any system, said Dr. Hauptmann, will decrease only if the entropy of another system will increase.

From "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr

Vocabulary lists containing decrease

List 2

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Ratios and Proportional Relationships

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Ratios and Proportional Relationships

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