declino
decline
noun deh-KLEE-noh Less Common
Origin: Latin declinare, to bend away
Also means
decay
Usage Note
Declino refers to a gradual downward trend — political, economic, or physical. Use essere in declino to say something is 'on the decline.' Unlike calo (a sharp drop), declino implies a slow, sustained deterioration.
Examples
"Il paese è in lento declino."
Natural Translation
The country is in slow decline.

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