diluted; diluting
1
: attenuate
dilute the power of the mayoralty
diluting the quality of the finished product
2
: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture
diluted the bleach with water
diluting juice with water
3
: to diminish the strength, flavor, or brilliance of (something) by or as if by admixture
dilute a color
But spreading the light out also dilutes it …—
Michael Zeilik and John Gaustad
Michael Zeilik and John Gaustad4
: to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares
Synonyms
Examples of dilute in a Sentence
Verb
You can dilute the medicine with water.
The hiring of the new CEO diluted the power of the company's president.
diluting the quality of our products
Adjective
a dilute solution of acid
a dilute acid that's safe to handle in the classroom
Recent Examples on the WebDoreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
While many of our residents have worked their entire lives to afford a home in Scottsdale, the actions of incumbents Tammy Caputi and Tom Durham threaten to diminish home values and dilute the unique charm that keeps our community a pristine destination.
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2013
However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute.
—George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2013
See all Example Sentences for dilute 
Verb
The art is not diluted by the research; the research strengthens its argumentative power.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 15 July 2024
While many of our residents have worked their entire lives to afford a home in Scottsdale, the actions of incumbents Tammy Caputi and Tom Durham threaten to diminish home values and dilute the unique charm that keeps our community a pristine destination.
—Sam Kmack, The Arizona Republic, 9 July 2024
Adjective
Vinegar, which is really dilute acetic acid, will help the milk curdle by further denaturing the whey proteins and neutralizing negative charges at the surface of casein micelles.
—Liz Roth-Johnson, Discover Magazine, 12 Feb. 2013
However toxic a substance may be, the amount of exposure received by the general population is very dilute.
—George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2013
See all Example Sentences for dilute
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dilute.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near dilute
Cite this Entry
“Dilute.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dilute. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dilute
1 of 2 verb
di·lute
dī-ˈlüt 
də-
diluted; diluting
: to make thinner or more liquid by adding in and mixing something
added water to dilute the punch
dilute
2 of 2 adjective
: lacking normal strength especially as a result of being diluted
Medical Definition
dilute
1 of 2 transitive verb
di·lute
dī-ˈlüt, də-
diluted; diluting
: to make thinner or more liquid by admixture
dilute
2 of 2 adjective
: of relatively low strength or concentration
a dilute solution
Legal Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share