Synonyms and Antonyms of decline
1
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
- he declined the invitation to the party
- she declined to participate in the soccer game
balk (at), deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, repudiate, spurn, throw out, throw over, turn down
blow off, disdain, rebuff, scorn, scout, shoot down
overrule, veto
forbid, prohibit, proscribe
dismiss, ignore
abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from)
deny, disavow, disclaim, dispute, gainsay
stick
abjure, forswear (also foreswear), recant, renounce, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw
avoid, bypass, detour
contradict, deny, disown, negate
controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute
back down, back off, backtrack
disallow, recall, renege, revoke
condone, countenance, swallow, tolerate
adopt, embrace, receive, take, welcome
accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, consent
choose, handpick, select
espouse, support
2
to be unwilling to grant
- declined our request to hold a party
ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto
rebuff, repel, spurn
check, constrain, curb, hold, keep, repress, restrain, restrict
balk (at), hinder, impede, obstruct
afford, furnish, give, provide, supply
authorize, commission, license (also licence)
accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), warrant
accord, sanction, vouchsafe
3
to go to a lower level especially abruptly
- new-car sales declined to their lowest level in years
crash, crater, descend, dip, dive, drop, fall, lower, nose-dive, plummet, plunge, sink, skid, tumble
