decrease
verb (used without object)
to diminish or lessen in extent, quantity, strength, power, etc..
had decreased
-
past perfectof decrease.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
Prices of petroleum products in June were up 15% on year, but had decreased since May, as had prices for air transport, which are particularly exposed to global prices of energy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
A 34-year-old resident of Sanandaj in western Iran said the intensity of the attacks had decreased and that in recent days he "realised the Islamic republic will not be overthrown in the way we imagined".
From Barron's ● Mar. 27, 2026
Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, said Thursday that ballistic-missile attacks had decreased by 90% and drone attacks had dropped by 83% since the war began.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 7, 2026
However, it said the funding advantage had decreased considerably in recent years.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026
For one thing, membership had decreased substantially in the past decade.
From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry
