decreasing

American  

[dih-kree-sing] / dɪˈkri sɪŋ /

adjective

1. becoming less or fewer; diminishing.

2. Mathematics. (of a function) having the property that for any two points in the domain such that one is larger than the other, the image of the larger point is less than or equal to the image of the smaller point; nonincreasing.

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Usage

What does decreasing mean? Decreasing is an adjective that means lessening or in decline—becoming less in number, amount, size, or in some other way.It comes from the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb decrease, which means to lessen or become reduced in number, amount, size, or in some other way, as in Our profits will continue to decrease unless we cut costs.The word decreased can also be used as an adjective to describe things that have lessened or declined, as in a decreased appetite.Example: Decreasing sales have forced the company to cut costs.

Other Word Forms

• decreasingly adverb
• undecreasing adjective
• undecreasingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of decreasing

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; decrease, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Because reserves were scarce, the Fed could influence the federal-funds rate simply by increasing or decreasing reserves.

From Barron's

State policies have spared school districts from the full immediate impact of a funding loss tied to decreasing enrollment.

From Los Angeles Times

"There is now strong evidence across different datasets that winter precipitation in the Himalayas is indeed decreasing," said Kieran Hunt, principal research fellow in tropical meteorology at University of Reading in the UK.

From BBC

The metal’s prices are likely to stay high over the longer term alongside decreasing coal prices.

From The Wall Street Journal

This comes after two weeks of decreasing numbers, prompting hope flu cases may have peaked.

From BBC

Related Words

• collapsing
• descending
• lowering
• plunging
• sliding
• tumbling
• weakening