decline
verb (used with object)
to withhold or deny consent to do, enter into or upon, etc.; refuse.
was declining
-
past progressiveof decline.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
After both sides went back and forth with proposals, Amodei on Feb. 26 said publicly that the company was declining the Defense Department’s latest offer and couldn’t accede to its requests.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 13, 2026
Netflix said it was "declining to match" Paramount's latest offer after the Warner Bros. board declared it a "Superior Proposal" under the terms of its existing merger agreement with Netflix.
From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026
Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar was declining Monday morning.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 12, 2026
Speaking to the BBC at the Italian supercar-maker's London showroom, chief executive Stephan Winkelmann said enthusiasm for electric cars was declining - creating an opportunity to focus on hybrid power instead.
From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2025
Though his health was declining rapidly, newspaper accounts of the proslavery speeches in the House roused him for one final appearance in print.
From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis
