DECREASES Synonyms: 159 Similar and Opposite Words

decreases 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of decrease

as in reduces

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow

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as in diminishes

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again

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decreases

2 of 2

noun

plural of decrease

as in reductions

the amount by which something is lessened the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon

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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 decreases

Verb

Splitting the shot up decreases vaccination rates and leaves children unprotected over a longer period, experts say. — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 When employees actively participate in shaping the policies that govern their day-to-day experience, engagement rises and turnover decreases. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026 Eventually, the plants become woody in the center, and the number of blooms decreases. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2026 If the vehicle slows significantly below the required speed, the normal force between its tires and the tunnel surface decreases, increasing the risk of losing contact. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 18 Aug. 2026 Increasing the number of CPUs available significantly decreases the latency for Llama-8B responses over longer sequence lengths. — IEEE Spectrum, 16 Aug. 2026 Research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that AI adoption in manufacturing initially decreases productivity before ultimately helping workers achieve long-term gains. — Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026 Perhaps seawater’s viscosity — which decreases as temperature increases, making the water thinner —affects ciliary movements, Shapiro said. — Marlowe Starling, Quanta Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026 Conversely, a larger FOV decreases the angular resolution, since the pixels are dispersed across a wider area of the screen. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

Some early studies are showing that people using AI chatbots designed with cognitive behavior therapy principles experienced decreases in symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to psychologists. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 But the summer months have also thrown into sharp relief the unequal way in which those decreases in violence have shown up across the city. — Caroline Kubzansky, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026 In the Phase 2 TRANQUILITY study, the drug, pacibekitug, led to sustained decreases in biomarkers of inflammation, according to results presented Saturday at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting in Munich. — Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Aug. 2026 In the era after the high inflation of the 1970s, there have been eight episodes of substantial increases or decreases in the Federal Funds rate, the interest rate that the Fed controls directly. — Bill Conerly, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Since that time, the pope said AI and technology at large decreases the interactions and relationships people have with one another. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 States with large rural populations that expanded Medicaid under the Obama-era Affordable Care Act are expected to see the largest decreases in Medicaid spending. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 24 Aug. 2026 Using birdwatching and policy data from more than 2,300 counties across China, a new analysis found that areas with stricter policies enforcing solar energy development have seen decreases in bird diversity over the last 10 years. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 20 Aug. 2026 However, this model includes Bissell’s AutoAdapt Power Boost, which dynamically increases/decreases suction as dirt is detected, averaging 25 to 40 minutes of use. — Katherine McLaughlin, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decreases

Verb

There is a possibility that the strengthening El Niño weather event creates a mild early winter in northeast Asia which reduces demand, Drinkwater said.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The faster process reduces energy which is lost as waste heat.

— Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduces

Verb

Once the journey time increases, the value proposition diminishes and the project is less likely to succeed.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that for every dollar added to the deficit, private investment loses 33 cents, which diminishes economic growth and wages over time.

— Medora Lee, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminishes

Noun

Investigators reported a dose-dependent drop in biomarker levels on certain measures, meaning higher doses led to greater reductions, a sign the drug is having an effect.

— Andrew Joseph, STAT, 29 Aug. 2026
Dignity Health did not directly address questions about staffing reductions Friday.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of reductions

Verb

When the storm subsides, the Pogues use Kiara’s coordinates and Pope’s calculations to return to the water and search for the gold.

— Kelly Allen, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
The brutal nausea and vomiting of norovirus, for instance, subsides in one to three days; even the relentless diarrhea of cyclosporiasis can let up in a couple of days with an antibiotic.

— Erica Sloan, Washington Post, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of subsides

Noun

While not impacting immediate fuel prices, as development will take 7-10 years, the 100-year agreement aims to offset future declines in domestic shale production.

— David Blackmon, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
In Asia, markets fell with South Korean equities leading declines in the region.

— Lee Ying Shan,Fred Imbert, CNBC, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of declines

Verb

When Cantu reaches towards Lopez and screams his wife’s name, a shot rings out and Lopez falls slightly off camera.

— Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
Rather than extra long hair, think of a cut that falls somewhere below the collarbone, with enough layering or movement to keep it from feeling heavy.

— Laura Solla, Vogue, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of falls

Noun

To find out, the team released 35-microliter water drops, about the size of a large raindrop, containing a pinch of salt to mimic rainwater, onto a surface tilted at 50 degrees.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 Aug. 2026
Although the press picks up on the drops, there are adds as well.

— Jeff Marks, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of drops

Verb

Elevated levels of insulin can increase DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles, which can lead to hair thinning and, over time, permanent loss.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Aug. 2026
The Pixel 10 Pro Fold had a 5,015mAh battery, but the Pixel 11 Pro Fold shrinks that to 4,806mAh.

— Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026