The word increase is often used to indicate growth or expansion. Its antonyms, on the other hand, describe the opposite process, such as decrease, decline, or reduction. Decrease refers to a decrease in the quantity or quality of something. Decline implies a gradual deterioration or loss of vitality. Reducing signifies making something smaller or less in magnitude or intensity. Other antonyms for increase include abatement, abridgment, compression, contraction, curtailment, decrement, diminishing, lessening, and restraint. These words help us to understand the inherent nature of the opposite of growth and expansion, and how they can be used in contrast to increase.