decoy, n. lure, enticement, magnet, allurement.

decrease, n. decrement, diminution, reduction, decline, depreciation, abatement, subsidence.

decrease, v. diminish, reduce, dwindle, subside, depreciate, abate, wane.

decreasing, a. decrescent, diminishing, waning.

decrease of motion retardation.

decree, n. edict, fiat, mandate, decretal, rescript.—­v. enact, ordain, enjoin.

decrial, n. condemnation, disparagement, dispraise, detraction, derogation, belittling.

decry, v. disparage, belittle.

dedicate, v. consecrate.

dedication, n. consecration.  Associated Words:  dedicate, dedicator, dedicatorial, dedicatory, dedicatee.

deduct, v. subtract, rebate.

deduction, n. subtraction, discount; inference, conclusion, corollary, illation.

deed, n. exploit, act, feat, perpetration, performance, stunt.

deed, n.  Associated Words:  defeasance, feoffment, muniment.

deep, a. profound, intricate, inexplicable, unfathomable, incomprehensible, recondite, abstruse; abysmal; sagacious, cunning, astute, shrewd; dark, intense; grave, grum, full-toned, guttural.  Antonyms:  superficial, shallow.

deepen, v. intensify.

deer, n.  Cervidae; fallow deer, red deer, mule deer, reindeer; buck (fawn, brocket, pricket, sorel, sore, spitter); (female) doe, roe; (male red deer) stag, hart; hind, roe (female red deer); havier (castrated); halfer; antelope hummel; staggard.  Associated Words:  venison, fumet, umbles, cervine, deerstalking, capreoline.

deerhound, n. staghound.

deface, v. mar, disfigure, mutilate.

defacement, n. disfigurement, mutilation, marring.

defamation, n. calumny, libel, lampoon, traducement, roorback.  See slander.

defamatory, a. slanderous, calumnious, libellous, vituperative, contumelious.

defame, v. calumniate, malign, vilify, lampoon, vituperate, slander.

defaulter, n. delinquent, peculator, embezzler, defalcator.

defeat, n. repulse, overthrow, vanquishment, foil, rout, frustration, disappointment.

defeat, v. conquer, vanquish, repulse, discomfit, rout, checkmate, outwit, balk, foil, frustrate.

defect, n. blemish, flaw, imperfection, foible, failing, shortcoming, infirmity.

defend, v. guard, protect, shield, secure, screen, shelter, fortify, garrison, preserve, harbor, countenance; uphold, espouse, vindicate, advocate, plead, justify, maintain.

defender, n. defendant, vindicator, advocate, champion, pleader, asserter, upholder, guardian.

defense, n. protection, defending, maintenance; guard, protection, palisade, rampart, bulwark, fortress, blockhouse, fortification, earthwork, breastwork, shield, armor, stockade, buckler, redoubt, remblai, palladium, garrison, ravelin, reliance, muniment, machicolation; vindication, advocacy, plea, excuse.  Antonyms:  betrayal, exposure, surrender, abandonment, capitulation.