decrease, decrement - a process of becoming smaller or shorter

decline in quality, worsening, declension, deterioration - process of changing to an inferior state

ebb, ebbing, wane - a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)

erosion - a gradual decline of something; "after the accounting scandal there was an erosion of confidence in the auditors"

loss - gradual decline in amount or activity; "weight loss"; "a serious loss of business"

sinking spell - a temporary decline in health or value

slippage - decline from a standard level of performance or achievement

statement - (music) the presentation of a musical theme; "the initial statement of the sonata"

change of magnitude - the act of changing the amount or size of something

cut - the act of reducing the amount or number; "the mayor proposed extensive cuts in the city budget"

moderation - the action of lessening in severity or intensity; "the object being control or moderation of economic depressions"

lowering - the act of causing to become less

cutback - a reduction in quantity or rate

devaluation - the reduction of something's value or worth

devitalisation, devitalization - the act of reducing the vitality of something

mitigation, palliation, extenuation - to act in such a way as to cause an offense to seem less serious

alleviation, easement, easing, relief - the act of reducing something unpleasant (as pain or annoyance); "he asked the nurse for relief from the constant pain"

de-escalation - (war) a reduction in intensity (of a crisis or a war)

minimisation, minimization - the act of reducing something to the least possible amount or degree or position

depletion - the act of decreasing something markedly

shortening - act of decreasing in length; "the dress needs shortening"

shrinking - the act of becoming less

subtraction, deduction - the act of subtracting (removing a part from the whole); "he complained about the subtraction of money from their paychecks"

deflation - the act of letting the air out of something

discount, price reduction, deduction - the act of reducing the selling price of merchandise

rollback - reducing prices back to some earlier level

weakening - the act of reducing the strength of something

depreciation - a decrease in price or value; "depreciation of the dollar against the yen"

contraction - the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

reverse split, reverse stock split, split down - a decrease in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity

amortisation, amortization - the reduction of the value of an asset by prorating its cost over a period of years

declassification - reduction or removal by the government of restrictions on a classified document or weapon

tax shelter, shelter - a way of organizing business to reduce the taxes it must pay on current earnings

tax credit - a direct reduction in tax liability (not dependent on the taxpayer's tax bracket)