gradual decline
Gentle downward slide
A gradual decline is a slow, steady decrease or deterioration over time.
The phrase emphasizes that the change happens incrementally rather than suddenly: The gradual decline of the Roman Empire took centuries, We noticed a gradual decline in her health.
It applies to quantities, quality, power, or condition—anything that can worsen or diminish by degrees.
- erosionGradual wearing away
- slow burnGradual buildup of rage
- fadingGradual loss of intensity
- fading awayGradual disappearance from perception
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
on the wane · decay · deterioration · slipping · slippery slope · ebbing · dwindling · losing steam · withering · crumbling · twilight · sunset · autumn · past its prime · dimming · weakening · slowdown · downturn
- declinedecrease, downswing, diminish, deterioration, degeneration
gradual declinestability
Resistance to displacement
steady state · equilibrium · stagnation · plateau · status quo
gradual, decline, grade, gradient, gradation, graded, grading, grades, gradually