A row decoder includes decoder logic generating an initial word line signal, and two inverters. The first inverter is formed by a first p-channel transistor having a source coupled to a supply voltage and a gate receiving the initial word line signal. The second inverter is formed by a first n-channel transistor having a drain coupled to a drain of the first p-channel transistor, a source coupled to a shared ground line, and a gate receiving the initial word line signal. An inverse word line signal is generated at the drain of the first n-channel transistor. A second inverter inverts the inverse word line signal to produce a word line signal. Negative bias generation circuitry generates a negative bias voltage on the shared ground line when the initial word line signal is logic high, and otherwise couples the shared ground line to ground.