diminish

verb

di·​min·​ish də-ˈmi-nish 

diminished; diminishing; diminishes

transitive verb

1

: to make less or cause to appear less

diminish an army's strength

His role in the company was diminished.

2

: to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle

diminish a rival's accomplishments

3

architecture : to cause to taper (see taper entry 1 sense 1)

a diminished column

intransitive verb

1

: to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : dwindle

the side effects tend to diminish over time

2

architecture : taper

diminishable

də-ˈmi-ni-shə-bəl 

adjective

diminishment

də-ˈmi-nish-mənt 

noun

Synonyms of diminish

• minimize
• dismiss

Choose the Right Synonym for diminish

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less.

decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Examples of diminish in a Sentence

The strength of the army was greatly diminished by outbreaks of disease.

The drug's side effects should diminish over time.

Nothing could diminish the importance of his contributions.

Recent Examples on the Web

Catholic teaching still calls suicide a grave sin, but recognizes mental illness can diminish responsibility; advocates want mental health ministries in parishes worldwide. — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

But as stock prices climb and bond yields increase, that relative advantage is diminishing, leaving less room for equities to absorb higher rates. — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

In addition to second base, center field and the closer’s role, third base is an issue complicated by Ryan McMahon’s $16 million salary, diminishing glove and paltry offense. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026

That is quite far apart from the commercial industry, which actually stands to be diminished by these policy reforms. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deminishen, alteration of diminuen, from Anglo-French diminuer, from Late Latin diminuere, alteration of Latin deminuere, from de- + minuere to lessen — more at minor

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for diminish

• finish
• finnish
• minish

Kids Definition

diminish

verb

di·​min·​ish də-ˈmin-ish 

1

: to make less or cause to appear less

2

: to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle

3

: to become gradually less (as in size or importance) : dwindle

diminishment

-mənt 

noun