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decreasing
[ dih-kree-sing ]
adjective
- becoming less or fewer; diminishing.
- Mathematics. (of a function) having the property that for any two points in the domain such that one is larger than the other, the image of the larger point is less than or equal to the image of the smaller point; nonincreasing. Compare increasing ( def 2 ).
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Other Words From
- de·creasing·ly adverb
- unde·creasing adjective
- unde·creasing·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of decreasing1
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Example Sentences
That things like miniaturization and decreasing costs have democratized the ability of individuals or rogue nations to create harm on powerful countries.
Actual cases of Ebola in Liberia, according the World Health Organization, are decreasing.
The glaciers are melting because snowfall is decreasing and temperatures are rising—bad news for wolverines.
A friendship-starting, pain-decreasing, Kremlin-bothering pass for dropping F-bombs?
In an effort to save taxpayer dollars, states have been decreasing the number of beds in their psychiatric hospitals for decades.
State funding for public colleges and universities has plummeted, decreasing by 40 percent across the country since 1980.
White wool—Knit a row, decreasing it by taking the first two stitches together, and the last two.
Although fishermen outnumber foresters at the present time, the number of fishermen has been decreasing.
Only Jean knew, or ever knew, just how much of Henri's steadily decreasing funds went to that buying.
In less than a quarter of an hour, her masts and sails formed only a white obelisk, gradually decreasing against the horizon.
Thus, the ratio is augmenting in Illinois, and decreasing in Missouri.
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More About Decreasing
What does decreasing mean?
Decreasing is an adjective that means lessening or in decline—becoming less in number, amount, size, or in some other way.
It comes from the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb decrease, which means to lessen or become reduced in number, amount, size, or in some other way, as in Our profits will continue to decrease unless we cut costs.
The word decreased can also be used as an adjective to describe things that have lessened or declined, as in a decreased appetite.
Example: Decreasing sales have forced the company to cut costs.
Where does decreasing come from?
The first records of the word decreasing as an adjective come from the 1300s. Decrease comes from the Latin verb dēcrēscere, from de-, which indicates negation, descent, or reversal, and the Latin verb crēscere, meaning “to grow.”
Something that’s described as decreasing is doing the opposite of growing—it’s becoming smaller in size, quantity, extent, or in some other way. The opposite of decreasing is increasing.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to decreasing?
- decreasingly (adverb)
- decrease (verb, noun)
What are some synonyms for decreasing?
What are some words that share a root or word element with decreasing?
What are some words that often get used in discussing decreasing?
How is decreasing used in real life?
Decreasing is a common word that can be used in all kinds of contexts.
Why coffee is beginning to outsell booze at campus bars. Pubs at Western and McMaster both report decreasing sales in alcohol while coffee drinks are on the rise: https://t.co/Ph1usTeHOB pic.twitter.com/NVoHPdMfej
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) April 20, 2018
One of the most interesting papers I've read this year, on the difference between decreasing returns and increasing returns in business.
It was written in 1996 and heavily edited by Cormac McCarthy. https://t.co/nJeWGGGdyl
h/t @samhinkie
— Patrick OShaughnessy (@patrick_oshag) June 17, 2019
The decreasing value of the minimum wage in every state, visualized. http://t.co/UZIon2ag0i pic.twitter.com/iYljZwic8i
— Chris Cillizza (@ChrisCillizza) June 3, 2014
Try using decreasing!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of decreasing?
A. lessening
B. dwindling
C. enlarging
D. declining
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