ENGLISH
REFERENCE

declined

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //dɪˈkɫaɪnd// UK //dɪklˈaɪnd// de·clined

v. to politely say no to an invitation or an offer. It can also mean that the amount or quality of something is becoming smaller or lower.

v. to refuse an invitation or offer politely; to undergo a gradual decrease in number, strength, or value. Transitive when used for refusal; intransitive when describing a decrease.


SIMPLE

She declined the invitation to the party.

CONTEXTUAL

The population of the local bird species has declined significantly over the last decade due to habitat loss.

COMPLEX

Although the CEO declined to comment on the merger, the company's stock price declined steadily throughout the afternoon as investors grew increasingly nervous.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

When used to mean 'refuse', it is transitive and takes a direct object or an infinitive phrase. When used to mean 'decrease', it is intransitive.

Pitfall

The prices were declined last monthThe prices declined last monthWhen meaning 'to decrease', the verb is intransitive and cannot be used in the passive voice.

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