DECREASE Synonyms: 156 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'decrease' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate , diminish , dwindle , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Q: When would 'abate' be a good substitute for 'decrease'?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When could 'diminish' be used to replace 'decrease'?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When can 'dwindle' be used instead of 'decrease'?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

Q: When is it sensible to use 'lessen' instead of 'decrease'?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. // has been unable to lessen her debt

Q: When might 'reduce' be a better fit than 'decrease'?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease , reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. // you must reduce your caloric intake

Q: How does the verb 'decrease' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate , diminish , dwindle , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Q: When would 'abate' be a good substitute for 'decrease'?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When could 'diminish' be used to replace 'decrease'?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When can 'dwindle' be used instead of 'decrease'?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

decrease 1 of 2

verb

di-ˈkrēs

Definition of decrease next

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent workers decreased the volume of water flowing through the pipes in order to prevent an overflow

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the force of the wind slowly decreased until the flowers were standing upright again

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

decrease

2 of 2

noun

ˈdē-ˌkrēs

as in reduction

the amount by which something is lessened the average decrease in the price of milk was five cents per gallon

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb decrease differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of decrease are abate, diminish, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When would abate be a good substitute for decrease?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could diminish be used to replace decrease?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can dwindle be used instead of decrease?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When is it sensible to use lessen instead of decrease?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than decrease?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

How does the verb decrease differ from other similar words?

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When would abate be a good substitute for decrease?

The meanings of abate and decrease largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could diminish be used to replace decrease?

While the synonyms diminish and decrease are close in meaning, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can dwindle be used instead of decrease?

Although the words dwindle and decrease have much in common, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When is it sensible to use lessen instead of decrease?

The words lessen and decrease can be used in similar contexts, but lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than decrease?

While in some cases nearly identical to decrease, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of decrease

Verb

This risk decreases as the storm moves away. —

Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Apr. 2026 The compound — extracted from the iboga plant in Central Africa — has also been used to decrease opioid cravings and treat depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in veterans. —

Adam Cancryn, CNN Money, 16 Apr. 2026

Noun

The wealthiest 20%, who earn above $300,000 per year, would see a decrease in taxes while a middle-income Missourian earning $65,000 per year would have a net tax increase, the analysis said. —

Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026 GLP-1s, which include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and others, regulate blood sugar, decrease appetite and promote weight loss. —

Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for decrease

Recent Examples of Synonyms for decrease

Verb

Keep your focus inward, reduce noise, and protect your energy.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
Avoid planting garlic near peas, beans, and asparagus, as garlic may compete with these vegetables for nutrients (particularly nitrogen), inhibit their growth, and reduce their yield.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026