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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 As rescue efforts failed and food supplies dwindled, half of the group roped themselves together and hiked through the snowy canyon to safety. Rachel Treisman, NPR, 14 July 2025 Now, over 50 years later, the popularity of the gyro has waned, as the classic Greek spots that once covered Chicago’s North and West sides have dwindled, replaced by taquerías and shawarma joints as new waves of immigration have changed the city’s culinary landscape. Charlie Kolodziej, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 But the once-vibrant community that welcomed wave after wave of Haitian immigrants has changed so much in the past decade that the remaining homeowners in the community that are of Haitian descent wonder if their dwindling numbers can keep the culture alive. Miami Herald, 12 July 2025 In places where trees have been removed, cicada populations have dwindled, leading to a patchier distribution and sometimes extinction, Kritsky said. Sarah Henry, The Courier-Journal, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for dwindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindle
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
Verb
  • Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 20 July 2025
  • Keep clear of puddles - Driving through puddles or low rainwater areas can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 20 July 2025
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
Verb
  • Once the shock subsided, Wiley realized what an unusual and humorous experience this is.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 July 2025
  • Some victims say that grief is hitting them harder now that the acute crisis has subsided.
    James Rainey Follow, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • Those inventories will be depleted in about one to two months, estimates Jake Schurmeier, a portfolio manager at Harbor Capital, who previously worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 July 2025
  • Often the weekly allotment is depleted after just one or two days.
    Scott Maucione, NPR, 17 July 2025
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
Verb
  • Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five, vanished overnight on July 3, 2015, when she was last seen by her boyfriend, Houck, at his family farm, PEOPLE previously reported.
    Nicole Acosta, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • The moment 3-year-old tuxedo cat Minnie returned home after vanishing for several weeks has been caught on camera, melting hearts online.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Verb
  • The Northern Territory has previously experienced cases of falling trees causing death, per the outlet.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of July, which falls on July 20 this year.
    Dina Kaur, AZCentral.com, 21 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dwindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindle. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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