dilute

verb

di·lute | \ dī-ˈlüt

, də-\

diluted; diluting

Definition of dilute

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

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

4 : to decrease the per share value of (common stock) by increasing the total number of shares

dilute

adjective

Definition of dilute (Entry 2 of 2)

: weak, diluted a dilute acid solution

Other Words from dilute Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dilute

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from dilute

Verb

diluter or dilutor \ dī-ˈlü-tər

, də- \ noun

dilutive \ dī-ˈlü-tiv

, də- \ adjective

Adjective

diluteness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for dilute

Synonyms: Verb

adulterate, cut, extend, lace, sophisticate, thin, water down, weaken

Synonyms: Adjective

diluted, thin, thinned, washy, watery, weak, weakened

Antonyms: Verb

enrich, fortify, richen, strengthen

Antonyms: Adjective

full-bodied, rich, strong

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 Web: Verb

Think of water as your cooking eraser—a quick way to dilute a little mistake. — Audrey Bruno, SELF, "How to Throw Together a Delicious Soup With Whatever You Have in Your Pantry," 20 Mar. 2019 Because of that, as Ms. Semmes noted, there’s less danger of diluting their reputation, something a living artist would fear. — Jacob Gallagher, WSJ, "Has Fashion’s Licensing of Art Gone Too Far?," 8 Oct. 2018 The first daily regimen that worked - 173 morphine milligrams - felt like creamer diluting bitter black coffee. — Anchorage Daily News, "Unintended consequences: Inside the fallout of America’s crackdown on opioids," 17 June 2018 Reducing the sample cup’s size brought its bottom closer to the probe’s tip and diluting the blood created more liquid to work with. — John Carreyrou, WIRED, "A New Look Inside Theranos’ Dysfunctional Corporate Culture," 21 May 2018 Many academy members have griped that the group’s diversity push has diluted the prestige of the institution. — Glenn Whipp, latimes.com, "What the new, vastly expanded Academy membership could mean for the Oscars," 26 June 2018 That may come as a relief for investors worried that the company could dilute their shares in pursuit of cash to offset heavy losses. — Nathan Bomey, USA TODAY, "Scrutinized Tesla brags Model 3 electric car production could beat Ford's Model T," 3 Apr. 2018 The offering furthers Bombardier’s efforts to shore up its finances, while diluting investors who had previously been enjoying a rally as Chief Executive Officer Alain Bellemare made headway on a five-year turnaround plan. — Bloomberg.com, "Bombardier Drops Most in Five Months on $492 Million Share Sale," 5 Mar. 2018 Still, catastrophe losses might spur more consolidation for Bermuda reinsurers this year, while the U.S. tax overhaul has diluted the pricing advantage the companies enjoyed with Bermuda’s low rate, according to a Fitch Ratings report. — Fortune, "Axa Is Said to Be in Advanced Talks to Buy Insurer XL Group," 3 Mar. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

The company reported a net loss during the first quarter of $3.9 million, or 11 cents diluted loss per share, compared to a net income of $4.3 million, or 12 cents dilute earnings per share over the same period last year. — Paul Takahashi, Houston Chronicle, "Francesca’s to focus on back-to-school sales to boost subpar earnings," 5 June 2018 Tests pick it up even in dilute wastewater,'' the story reports. — Bob Warren, NOLA.com, "Flush by flush, Canada collecting marijuana data: report," 15 Apr. 2018 Of the plants previously watered with very dilute vinegar, 70 percent survived while almost none of those that were given other acids or only water did. — Carolyln Wilke, sacbee, "Vinegar can help plants survive drought," 30 June 2017 A dilute sample is when a player drinks so much water, the urine test administered is ineffective because of the excess water consumption. — Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com, "Joe Thomas defended Jabrill Peppers even before they were teammates: Doug Lesmerises," 16 May 2017 Dallas Cowboys Bob’s pick: Jabril Peppers, DB/LB, Michigan Comment: A dilute sample on a drug test might cause some teams pause about Peppers. — Jayson Jenks, The Seattle Times, "2017 NFL mock draft from Bob Condotta and Jayson Jenks," 27 Apr. 2017 Cincinnati: LB Reuben Foster, Alabama (6-0, 229) — A dilute sample at the combine? — Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Mock Draft: The 49ers and Raiders will select…," 26 Apr. 2017 These works contained a very dilute formaldehyde solution that was contained within sealed tanks. — Christopher D. Shea, New York Times, "Damien Hirst’s Art May Have Leaked Formaldehyde Fumes, Study Says," 21 Apr. 2016 Peppers, who begins his career in Stage One of the NFL's drug program because of a dilute sample at the NFL Combine, had no idea where Parr got her information. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland.com, "Browns' Jabrill Peppers: 'I've never done' those drugs 'in my life'," 12 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dilute.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.