The term DECLINING RESPONSES can be summarized as a decrease in the amount of responses to a given situation. This could be a decrease in the number of people responding to a survey, or a decrease in the number of people attending an event. It could also refer to a decrease in the amount of feedback or support for a particular cause or idea. In all cases, it is a decrease in the amount of responses to a given situation. The crossword solution for this term is NOES, which is an acronym for 'No Objection, Except as Stated'. This phrase is used to indicate that someone does not object to a particular action, but may have some reservations about it.