decline
verb (used with object)
to withhold or deny consent to do, enter into or upon, etc.; refuse.
declined
-
past participleof decline.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof decline.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
declineverb (used with object)to withhold or deny consent to do, enter into or upon, etc.; refuse.
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 other US airman who was shot down, identified as Alpha, declined to be interviewed by CBS.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
In an advisory notice saying the outbreak was over, the CDC said cases had "significantly declined", and it was continuing to investigate the cause of the infection.
From BBC ● Sep. 12, 2026
He declined to comment on the FBI raid.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026
The head of this year's jury, American actor-director Maggie Gyllenhaal, had questioned the dearth of women-directed films on the opening day, but she declined to discuss the issue further at a final press conference.
From Barron's ● Sep. 12, 2026
“Mr. Rochester, I have just discovered the sun is far declined from its meridian, and Pilot is actually gone home to his dinner. Let me look at your watch.”
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
