dwindle

verb

ˈdwin-dᵊl How to pronounce dwindle (audio)
Definition of dwindlenext
1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent the long winter dwindled our supply of firewood to practically nothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to diminish
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually our hopes dwindled as the reports of more casualties came in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dwindle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dwindle are abate, decrease, diminish, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Where would abate be a reasonable alternative to dwindle?

While the synonyms abate and dwindle are close in meaning, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could decrease be used to replace dwindle?

Although the words decrease and dwindle have much in common, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When is diminish a more appropriate choice than dwindle?

The synonyms diminish and dwindle are sometimes interchangeable, but diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can lessen be used instead of dwindle?

In some situations, the words lessen and dwindle are roughly equivalent. However, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than dwindle?

The words reduce and dwindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 dwindle Listen to this article The number of Holocaust survivors still alive today is quickly dwindling. —Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 21 May 2025 In 2020, Empress Tavern shut down indefinitely after five years on The K Street Mall due to dwindling foot traffic. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 20 May 2025 Aid organizations suspended their operations as food stockpiles dwindled. —Aaron Boxerman, New York Times, 20 May 2025 As options dwindled, engineers revisited the primary roll thrusters to determine if they could be revived. —Scott Neuman, NPR, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for dwindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindle
  1. reduce
  2. diminish
  3. decrease
  4. subside
  5. deplete
  6. decline
  7. vanish
  8. fall
Verb
  • Their original sentences, which were 12 years and seven years, respectively, were reduced in September 2023.
    — Esther Kang, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • With Bayern aiming to reduce their wage bill, the Wirtz signing would have come at the cost of at least an extra €20million (£16.8m, $22.7m) per year, on top of a transfer fee somewhere between €100m and €150m.
    — Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, New York Times, 28 May 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • Augmenting Human Relationships with AI AI's role in enhancing efficiency does not diminish the need for human expertise in B2B interactions.
    — John Bruno, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025
  • The 25-year-old’s sample might be small, but in an era of diminishing workloads, Zack Wheeler and Max Fried are the only current starters averaging 6 1/3 innings.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 June 2025
Definition of diminish
Verb
  • These students, many already at an educational disadvantage, are left with instability, fewer learning opportunities and decreased academic performance.
    — Lakeisha Wells Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • The top three contributors to hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • So much oil got sucked out of the port and its neighborhoods that the ground started to subside, in some places yards deep.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
  • There was a slight uptick in turnovers in the postseason, but that must subside against the Thunder.
    — Zach Harper, New York Times, 20 May 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • The impact of the estate tax could deplete 40% of the assets subject to tax at her death.
    — Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025
  • The early colonists didn’t deplete this plentiful stock much, if at all.
    — Benjamin Cassidy, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 May 2025
Definition of deplete
Verb
  • Citigroup, Bank of America and Wells Fargo declined to comment on the WSJ report.
    — John Bacon, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • Yields have risen and the dollar has declined moderately.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Definition of decline
Verb
  • The remains of a Connecticut woman who vanished while hiking in Japan over two years ago have been identified, her family said Saturday.
    — Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025
  • Without continued protection of their habitat, the zoo’s population models predict this iconic species will vanish within the lifetime of a child born today.
    — Megan Ross, Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025
Definition of vanish
Verb
  • In May 2022 — three years ago — Caltrans estimated that the project would cost $433 million, meaning that in addition to falling behind schedule, the cost has gone up by about $96 million in that time.
    — Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2025
  • In 2023, the number of fatalities fell slightly, to six fatal boating incidents resulting in seven deaths, according to state data.
    — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 3 June 2025
Definition of fall

Browse Nearby Words

dwells (on or upon)
dwindle
dwindled
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Cite this Entry

“Dwindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindle. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

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