decrease
17 synonyms and 10 antonyms for decrease, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To become smaller in amount, size, or degree; or to cause something to become smaller.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use decrease
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English decresen, via Old French descreistre, ultimately from Latin decrescere.
Full origin of decrease →Frequently asked questions
What does “decrease” mean?
The word “decrease” means to become smaller in amount, size, or degree; or to cause something to become smaller. In plain terms, to get smaller, or a drop in amount — the opposite of increase.
How do you pronounce “decrease”?
“Decrease” is pronounced dih-KREES (/dɪˈkɹiːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “decrease” in a sentence?
Here is “decrease” used in a sentence: “Crime rates decreased significantly after the new policy was introduced.”
What is another word for “decrease”?
Words with a similar meaning to “decrease” include fall, go down, plummet, plunge, reduce and shrink.
What is the opposite of “decrease”?
The opposite of “decrease” — its antonyms — are go up, grow, increase, rise and soar.
What part of speech is “decrease”?
Depending on how it is used, “decrease” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “decrease” come from?
The word “decrease” comes from Latin. From Middle English decresen, via Old French descreistre, ultimately from Latin decrescere.
Is “decrease” a common word?
“Decrease” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between 'decrease' and 'reduce'?
'Decrease' can be intransitive, meaning something becomes smaller on its own ('sales decreased'), or transitive. 'Reduce' is normally transitive and needs an object ('reduce prices'), emphasizing that someone or something causes the drop. Both describe things getting smaller, but 'reduce' more strongly implies a deliberate cause.
What is the difference between 'decrease' and 'decline'?
Both mean to go down in amount or level. 'Decrease' is a neutral, measurable drop in size, amount or degree. 'Decline' often suggests a gradual, sometimes worsening downward trend and can carry a sense of deterioration, as in a decline in health or standards.
Do you say 'decrease in' or 'decrease of'?
As a noun, 'decrease' is usually followed by 'in' to name what is falling ('a decrease in sales') and by 'of' to give the amount ('a decrease of 10 percent'). You can combine them: 'a decrease of 10 percent in sales'.
What is the difference between 'decrease' and 'increase'?
They are opposites. To decrease is to become or make something smaller in amount, size or degree, while to increase is to become or make it larger. A decrease is a reduction; an increase is a rise.