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
Companies aren’t choosing to dedicate more resources to diminishing returns, but rather because that region comes with a better understanding of its geology.
—
William Jones, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for diminishing returns
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William Jones, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
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
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 16 May. 2026.
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