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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Their demeanors never changed, the injuries and illnesses never diminished their love of the game or their love for the Mets. —Abbey Mastracco, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2025 One place to look for immediate funding is the Essential Plan Trust Fund, which will eventually be diminished by OBBBA. —Dr. Ashwin Vasan, New York Daily News, 18 July 2025 Failure could signal diminished US capacity to shape outcomes in contested regions. —Güney Yıldız, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025 Two milestones revealed this week illustrate the diminishing power of broadcast television in the media world — one fueled by the habits of young people and the other by their elders. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 16 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
  • Here are tips on how to stay safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    — CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 July 2025
  • Here are recommendations for maintaining safety during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 19 July 2025
Definition of minimize
Verb
  • Do not follow large vehicles closely - Large vehicles like trucks or buses can create a spray of water that can reduce your visibility.
    — KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
  • Studies have shown that matcha can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
    — Michiko Tomioka, CNBC, 26 July 2025
Definition of reduce
Verb
  • This would decrease in the following months to reach a low of 41 percent in April.
    — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025
  • Older people may have decreased appetites or struggle to shop for food and prepare meals.
    — Paula Span, Miami Herald, 18 July 2025
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The felony charges were dismissed with prejudice, meaning they can't be refiled.
    — Quinlan Bentley, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
  • While rumors suggested that the two met off the coast in their yachts, Wolff has dismissed the report.
    — Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 July 2025
Definition of dismiss
Verb
  • Once the shock subsided, Wiley realized what an unusual and humorous experience this is.
    — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • Riding the wave Still other curveballs can await a player after the draft night buzz has subsided.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2025
Definition of subside
Verb
  • Brown-Forman's sales declined 5% in the 2025 fiscal year, partly due to ongoing tariff disputes.
    — Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
  • When reached on the phone, Gate of the Era declined to comment.
    — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 24 July 2025
Definition of decline

Browse Nearby Words

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 29 Jul. 2025.

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