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.
In the right-most column in the table above, you can see that half the stocks have declined this year — some of them significantly.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
Central Command, which Cooper heads, declined to comment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
The Lucas Museum declined to reveal its percentage of native plants, but native plant experts estimate it doesn’t clear either threshold.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
Microsoft declined to comment beyond the public documents filed as part of the bond deal and Hood’s recent comments.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 29, 2026
After her days beneath Sam’s cottage, Cora declined the challenge.
From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead
