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

Some of the ways that Tresnjak ups the ante on that daring have diminishing returns. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

In my experience, attempting to shortcut this dynamic with a single high-profile placement yields diminishing returns. — Jessica Schaefer, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Both incidents have demonstrated to Arab states their lack of meaningful influence within the regional order and the diminishing returns of American security guarantees. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026

But jaundiced observations about the haves and the have-nots eventually reached a point of diminishing returns. — Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 22 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for diminishing returns

• adjourns
• concerns
• discerns
• downturns
• internes
• nocturnes
• sideburns
• churns
• earns
• ferns
• kerns
• learns