Crossword puzzle clue "declines as in price"

(colloquial) to unfairly acquire a property by bidding more than an offer that has already been accepted

ABATE, to reduce in intensity

BEG, to ask for

DIP, to immerse briefly in a liquid

DOTE, to love excessively, also DOAT

DOWNTURN, a decline

EBB, to move back from the land, to recede