Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!)

Literary notes about Decline (AI summary)

In literature, "decline" serves a multitude of roles, reflecting both tangible and abstract processes. In historical narratives, authors describe the inevitable deterioration of once-mighty institutions and civilizations, as seen in the portrayal of the fall of Rome and the waning influence of empires ([1], [2], [3]). The term also captures a natural transition, marking the fading of daylight or the gradual diminishment of mental acuity ([4], [5], [6]). At times, it functions as a marker of deliberate refusal, where characters politely or firmly reject propositions or invitations ([7], [8], [9], [10], [11]). Furthermore, religious and moral texts invoke "decline" as a call to avoid evil and maintain virtue ([12], [13], [14], [15]). This versatile word thus delineates both a physical downfall and a conscious decision to abstain, enriching its significance across genres and eras.
  1. The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire HISTORY OF THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE Edward Gibbon, Esq.
    — from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
  2. But the decline of Rome was the natural and inevitable effect of immoderate greatness.
    — from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
  3. 28 The Decline of Manila during the Next Century.
    — from A History of the Philippines by David P. Barrows
  4. A short gallop brought them to the road of Chaillot; the day began to decline, carriages were passing and repassing.
    — from The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
  5. The wind was already strong, and increased with the decline of day.
    — from The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne
  6. The important stage is the one which precedes this, and in which a definite decline in mental power is not yet perceivable.
    — from Criminal Psychology: A Manual for Judges, Practitioners, and Students by Hans Gross
  7. If you shall still decline doing so, then use it at your own discretion to promote the cause of woman suffrage."
    — from The Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony (Volume 1 of 2) by Ida Husted Harper
  8. You must do as many copies as possible, for you’ll be asked for them from other places.” “No, excuse me; I can’t undertake such a … I decline.”
    — from The possessed : by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  9. “I have told you that I decline to play.”
    — from Dead Souls by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
  10. “Miss Verinder begs to decline entering into any correspondence with Mr. Franklin Blake.”
    — from The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
  11. For the same reason he will only accept such honours as will make him a better man; any others he will decline.
    — from The Republic by Plato
  12. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to decline from the ruin of death.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  13. Decline from evil and do good, and dwell for ever and ever.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  14. 4:5. Get wisdom, get prudence: forget not, neither decline from the words of my mouth.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete
  15. According to his law; and thou shalt follow their sentence: neither shalt thou decline to the right hand nor to the left hand.
    — from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, Scrabble


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy