diminishing returns
plural noun
1
: a rate of yield that beyond a certain point fails to increase in proportion to additional investments of labor or capital
2
: benefits that beyond a certain point fail to increase in proportion to extended efforts
Examples of diminishing returns in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With the vast sums likely to be raised — and spent — by both sides, Kondik said that fundraising can reach a point of diminishing returns.
—
Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Adam Crisafulli of Vital Knowledge wrote earlier this week that options such as a broader military campaign or major disruption to the Strait of Hormuz carry significant costs and diminishing returns, making an eventual off-ramp the more probable outcome.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
When attention is scarce and trust is hard to earn, traditional advertising has diminishing returns.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2026
Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, pointed out that Trump’s attempts to talk down the market now have diminishing returns, with investors demanding actual evidence of concrete steps toward de-escalation.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diminishing returns
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Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026
Adam Crisafulli of Vital Knowledge wrote earlier this week that options such as a broader military campaign or major disruption to the Strait of Hormuz carry significant costs and diminishing returns, making an eventual off-ramp the more probable outcome.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2026
When attention is scarce and trust is hard to earn, traditional advertising has diminishing returns.
—Dana Harris-Bridson, IndieWire, 7 Apr. 2026
Michael Brown, senior research strategist at Pepperstone, pointed out that Trump’s attempts to talk down the market now have diminishing returns, with investors demanding actual evidence of concrete steps toward de-escalation.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for diminishing returns
Cite this Entry
“Diminishing returns.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diminishing%20returns. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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