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diminishing returns

plural noun

Definition of diminishing returns

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

First Known Use of diminishing returns

1815

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Learn More about diminishing returns

  1. Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diminishing returns

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