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Definitions

decrease

[dih-krees, dee-krees, dih-krees] / dɪˈkris, ˈdi kris, dɪˈkris /
NOUN
diminishing, lessening
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contraction cutback decline discount downturn loss reduction shrinkage
STRONG
abatement compression condensation constriction declining depression diminution dwindling ebb markdown subsidence waning
WEAK
decrescence falling-off striction
Antonyms
STRONGEST
enlargement increase rise
STRONG
markup
WEAK
addition development expansion growth raise
VERB
grow less or make less
Synonyms
STRONGEST
abate curb curtail cut down decline depreciate deteriorate diminish drop drop off dwindle ease ebb fall off lessen lower reduce shrink sink slacken slash slump soften subside wane weaken
STRONG
check contract crumble decay degenerate devaluate droop evaporate fade lighten modify quell quiet restrain settle shrivel waste wither
WEAK
calm down die down dry up let up lose edge narrow down peter out run low slack off slow down tail off wear away wear down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
ascend compliment develop enlarge expand extend go up grow improve increase irritate laud lengthen praise prolong raise rise strengthen
STRONG
build liberate upset
WEAK
add

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.

The most commonly reported side effect was a decrease in neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

This decrease in spending has a ripple effect because the American consumer accounts for about two-thirds of the U.S. economy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

As of 1700 GMT on Monday, commodities vessels had made just 196 crossings of the waterway this month, a huge decrease from before the war.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

“You shouldn’t expect lines to decrease over the weekend,” said Ricky Smith, general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The heart in space gets lazy, muscles decrease in size, and bones lose some of their calcium.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.