decline
verb (used with object)
to withhold or deny consent to do, enter into or upon, etc.; refuse.
were 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.
With the waterway closed, oil stockpiles around the world were declining as countries dipped into their reserves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
Morgan argued, because Dell pre-bought many components when prices were declining.
From Barron's ● Nov. 17, 2025
Even before the pandemic, attendance numbers were declining.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 14, 2025
For one thing, test scores in reading were declining just as fast in the several years preceding the pandemic as during the period that schools were closed.
From Slate ● Dec. 18, 2023
And from what my new friends were telling me, their numbers were declining.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
