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

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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

Pizza menus that stretch into double-digit offerings tend to get diluted, but every one of Pilato’s 28 creations is well-balanced and carefully thought-out. — Dominic Armato, azcentral, "The best restaurants in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley," 1 July 2019 Reverse Brown Spots Lemon juice diluted with water helps fade sun spots on all skin tones, says New York dermatologist Jessica Krant. — Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, "The 20 Best Instant Anti-Aging Beauty Secrets," 24 June 2019 Overall, the Blues banked their first Cup in franchise history on determination, muscle, and grit, factors that have been diluted across the league, frankly, over the years since the Bruins won with their heavy lineup in 2011. — Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, "Blues’ Stanley Cup blueprint: Don’t expect league to follow suit," 15 June 2019 Nothing is diluted or sugar-coated, which is what drew several of Euphoria's actors to the project in the first place. — Jessica Radloff, Glamour, "HBO’s Euphoria Is Unlike Any Teen Show You’ve Ever Seen," 14 June 2019 Decant into your favorite mason jar and dilute with cold water to drink. — Eleanor Hildebrandt, Popular Mechanics, "How To Make Really Good Coffee," 5 June 2019 However, the blizzard of deals isn’t necessarily good news for existing shareholders, who could in time see their own holdings diluted. ... — Shen Hong, WSJ, "A Convertible-Bond Boom in China Isn’t All Good News for Shareholders," 26 May 2019 Add vinegar, lemon juice, or brown sugar to fix the problem -- or dilute with water, crushed tomatoes or unsalted broth. — Special To The Plain Dealer, cleveland.com, "Don't waste it: How to revive food that is stale, burned, over-salted," 18 Apr. 2018 The stuff is nasty, like a cup of motor oil diluted with a splash of water. — Sean Illing, Vox, "What the psychedelic drug ayahuasca showed me about my life.," 7 Apr. 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.