declination
noun
dec·li·na·tion ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shən 
plural declinations
1
: angular distance north or south from the celestial equator measured along a great circle passing through the celestial poles
2
: a turning aside or swerving
3
: deterioration
moral declination
4
: a bending downward : inclination
5
a
: a formal refusal
b
law : a decision by a prosecutor not to pursue an indictment
6
: the angle formed between a magnetic needle and the geographical meridian
declinational
ˌde-klə-ˈnā-shnəl
adjective -shə-nᵊl
Synonyms
- decadence
- declension
- decline
- degeneracy
- degeneration
- degradation
- dégringolade
- descent
- deterioration
- devolution
- downfall
- downgrade
- ebb
- eclipse
- fall
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
there's been a declination in basic civility in our society congressional declinations of cabinet appointments have been relatively infrequent, most senators believing that the president is entitled to pick his own advisors
Recent Examples on the Web The pilot looks ahead and down, and sees the edge of the airfield at an angle of declination of 27.9 degrees. 
Richard Malena, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022 The declination stated that Lee was somehow able to get through the security screening process with a weapon described as a replica gun containing a folding knife with a roughly 3-inch blade. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022 Less expensive compasses are often less accurate, while more expensive models offer features like declination correction, which allows for extremely precise readings. Camryn Rabideau, Popular Mechanics, 7 June 2022 According to a declination obtained by Good Morning America, the statute of limitations had expired. Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, 31 May 2022 After he was tackled, Chappelle got back on his feet quickly and pushed Lee away, according to the declination. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022 He subsequently was interviewed by a Maryland State Police sergeant, at the request of Baltimore County Deputy State’s Attorney Robin Coffin, according to her declination letter. Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2022 The response from the community should not be that this declination of prosecution means that nothing wrong happened. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE.com, 6 Apr. 2022 The letter to Jardine Lloyd Thompson is the first such declination awarded to a company in more than 18 months. Dylan Tokar, WSJ, 30 Mar. 2022 See More
Richard Malena, Popular Mechanics, 22 Aug. 2022 The declination stated that Lee was somehow able to get through the security screening process with a weapon described as a replica gun containing a folding knife with a roughly 3-inch blade. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022 Less expensive compasses are often less accurate, while more expensive models offer features like declination correction, which allows for extremely precise readings. Camryn Rabideau, Popular Mechanics, 7 June 2022 According to a declination obtained by Good Morning America, the statute of limitations had expired. Jen Juneau, PEOPLE.com, 31 May 2022 After he was tackled, Chappelle got back on his feet quickly and pushed Lee away, according to the declination. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2022 He subsequently was interviewed by a Maryland State Police sergeant, at the request of Baltimore County Deputy State’s Attorney Robin Coffin, according to her declination letter. Darcy Costello, Baltimore Sun, 25 Apr. 2022 The response from the community should not be that this declination of prosecution means that nothing wrong happened. Christine Pelisek, PEOPLE.com, 6 Apr. 2022 The letter to Jardine Lloyd Thompson is the first such declination awarded to a company in more than 18 months. Dylan Tokar, WSJ, 30 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English declinacioun, from Middle French declination, from Latin declination-, declinatio angle of the heavens, turning aside
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
declination
noun
1
as in decline
a change to a lower state or level there's been a declination in basic civility in our society Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- decline
- deterioration
- degradation
- descent
- decrease
- eclipse
- downfall
- declension
- reduction
- decadence
- fall
- ebb
- degeneracy
- devolution
- destruction
- degeneration
- downgrade
- drop
- dissolution
- decay
- dégringolade
- sunset
- nadir
- loss
- disintegration
- decomposition
- dip
- breakup
- dark age
- depreciation
- diminution
- falloff
- abasement
- debasement
- slump
- lowering
- sag
- shrinkage
- decrement
- diminishment
- crumbling
- lessening
- ruination
- rotting
- decimation
- abatement
- spoiling
- downturn
- deflation
- demolition
- ruin
- slip
- havoc
- downtrend
- drop-off
- downslide
- demolishment
- desolation
- de-escalation
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rise
- ascent
- evolution
- growth
- development
- advancement
- upswing
- renewal
- increase
- flowering
- restoration
- increment
- enhancement
- gain
- revitalization
- addition
- accrual
- blossoming
- accretion
- boost
- raise
- flourishing
- supplement
- addendum
- augmentation
- heightening
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for congressional declinations of cabinet appointments have been relatively infrequent, most senators believing that the president is entitled to pick his own advisors Synonyms & Similar Words
- refusal
- rejection
- denial
- nonacceptance
- disallowance
- no
- suppression
- nay
- turndown
- repudiation
- injunction
- spurn
- veto
- rebuff
- repression
- negative
- discouragement
- repulse
- deterrence
- ban
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- approval
- grant
- allowance
- acceptance
- agreement
- consent
- sanction
- acquiescence
- okay
- clearance
- authorization
- concurrence
- permission
- license
- assent
- accession
- licence
- signature
- leave
- seal
- sufferance
- stamp
- OK
- imprimatur
- sheesh
- sheet
- sheet anchor
- sheet bend
- sheet cable
- sheet cake
- sheet cakes
- sheet chain
- sheet composting
- sheet deposit
- sheet erosion
- sheet film
- sheet glass
- sheet home
- sheet ice
- sheet imposition
- sheet lightning
- sheet line
- sheet metal
- sheet metal screw
- sheet mill
- sheet mold
- sheet music
- sheet pan
- sheet pans