Natural increases refer to the growth or expansion that occurs through natural means or processes. In contrast, antonyms for natural increases would include terms such as "decline," "decrease," "reduction," "shrinkage," or "diminishment." These terms imply a decrease or reduction in size, quantity, or quality of something. For instance, a decrease in population could be characterized as a decline or reduction, or a dwindling of numbers. Similarly, a shrinkage in profits or an overall cutback in resources might be described using one of these antonyms. While natural increases suggest growth and progress, antonyms for this term suggest the opposite, an erosion or diminishment of something that was once thriving.