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.
Anthony Clarkson, director of organ and tissue donation and transplantation at NHS Blood and Transport, said family support for organ donation was declining, a trend he wants to see reversed.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Wambach noted that is likely why there was declining sentiment, too, in the construction sector, which is strongly impacted by higher borrowing costs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 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
In the 1890s, the price of cane sugar was declining, and the planters who owned sugar fields in British Guiana were on the edge of bankruptcy.
From "Sugar Changed the World: A Story of Magic, Spice, Slavery, Freedom, and Science" by Marc Aronson
