diminish

verb

də-ˈmi-nish How to pronounce diminish (audio)
Definition of diminishnext
1
as in to minimize
to express scornfully one's low opinion of tends to diminish any rival's accomplishments with snide remarks

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent the state's blood supplies were severely diminished by the two consecutive disasters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the sound of the train diminished as our distance from it increased

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diminish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of diminish are abate, decrease, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When is abate a more appropriate choice than diminish?

In some situations, the words abate and diminish are roughly equivalent. However, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When would decrease be a good substitute for diminish?

While the synonyms decrease and diminish are close in meaning, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Where would dwindle be a reasonable alternative to diminish?

The meanings of dwindle and diminish largely overlap; however, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

In what contexts can lessen take the place of diminish?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminish, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When could reduce be used to replace diminish?

The synonyms reduce and diminish are sometimes interchangeable, but reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diminish Storms are expected to diminish after 4 p.m., with little to no rain sticking around by 7 p.m., according to the NWS. —Brayden Garcia july 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 July 2025 The court documents purport to drastically diminish any federal role in constructing or operating Alligator Alcatraz. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 3 July 2025 In conjunction with diminishing happiness potential, social isolation puts people at risk for dementia and chronic conditions like heart disease. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2025 His work has been disparaged and diminished since the 5-0 defeat in Munich against PSG. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for diminish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminish
  1. minimize
  2. reduce
  3. decrease
  4. dismiss
  5. subside
  6. decline
Verb
  • That's why ignoring minor misbehavior (as long as no one is being harmed) and praising positive choices is one of the most effective ways to manage and minimize attention-seeking behaviors.1 2.
    — Amy Morin, Parents, 7 July 2025
  • These workshops taught cognitive skills aimed at maximizing the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses typically associated with their specific most strongly outlying trait.
    — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 7 July 2025
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • This, together with a higher standard deduction, reduced the number of taxpayers who itemize deductions.
    — Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
  • Choose looser fits that reduce the pressure on your hair follicles.
    — Mark Gurarie, Health, 14 July 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • The recent data represents a downward trend as COVID-19 cases and deaths have decreased statewide into early summer, the state dashboard shows.
    — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 7 July 2025
  • Revenue has remained relatively stagnant, decreasing slightly from $153 million to $152 million over the past year.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • So far, nearly 60,000 federal employees have been dismissed, with the State Department layoffs marking the latest round of cuts.
    — Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • With the reciprocal tariffs, Trump is dismissing the rules governing world trade.
    — Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • The excitement over Tesla’s robotaxi launch is subsiding as fewer social media videos are posted.
    — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 2 July 2025
  • Investors have cheered as stocks have swiftly recovered to fresh highs and volatility has subsided.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • Disney officials declined to comment on individual plans out of respect for all guests.
    — Jasmine Mendez Follow, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025
  • Cal Fire officials declined to comment on whether either of the companies has had prior violations or enforcement actions, citing the active investigation.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of decline

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dime stores
diminish
diminished
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Cite this Entry

“Diminish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminish. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of diminish for Spanish Speakers

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