decline
verb (used with object)
to withhold or deny consent to do, enter into or upon, etc.; refuse.
declined
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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.
BAE declined to provide further information on the incident and an estimated recovery time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
The rap mogul was moved to FCI Allenwood Low on Friday, a prison official said, but declined to discuss why he was moved, citing privacy, safety, and security reasons.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
The actor said she was approached by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to ask if she would voice the personal assistant function; she declined.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Speaking Friday at the International Monetary Fund and World Bank’s annual meeting in Bangkok, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh declined to share any expectations for the central bank’s upcoming rate-setting meeting.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
After grabbing a bite to eat, Candice’s dad offered to take her clothes shopping, but she quickly declined.
From "The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
