adj
Common
declining
dih-KLEYE-nihng
Declining (adj) means becoming weaker, smaller, or worse. Example: “The charity relies on donations to support people with declining health.”
adj
1
Becoming weaker, smaller, or worse.
"The charity relies on donations to support people with declining health."
"The region has struggled with a declining population for decades."
How to use declining
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting worse, smaller, or weaker over time.
Common pairings
declining health
declining population
declining sales
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Word forms
- Plural
- declinings
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The charity relies on donations to support people with _____ health.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for declining
See all rhymes for declining →Frequently asked questions
What does “declining” mean?
The word “declining” means becoming weaker, smaller, or worse. In plain terms, getting worse, smaller, or weaker over time.
How do you pronounce “declining”?
“Declining” is pronounced dih-KLEYE-nihng (/dɪˈklaɪnɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “declining” in a sentence?
Here is “declining” used in a sentence: “The charity relies on donations to support people with declining health.”
What part of speech is “declining”?
“Declining” is an adjective.
Is “declining” a common word?
“Declining” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between declining and decreasing?
Declining describes something becoming weaker, smaller, or worse, often implying an overall downward trend in quality or condition. Decreasing more narrowly refers to becoming smaller or fewer in quantity, without necessarily implying a loss of quality or strength.
Can declining refer to health as well as numbers?
Yes, declining is commonly used to describe a person's health or condition becoming weaker or worse, as well as more abstract things like declining sales, influence, or standards.
