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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dwindle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dwindle are abate, decrease, diminish, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Where would abate be a reasonable alternative to dwindle?

While the synonyms abate and dwindle are close in meaning, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could decrease be used to replace dwindle?

Although the words decrease and dwindle have much in common, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When is diminish a more appropriate choice than dwindle?

The synonyms diminish and dwindle are sometimes interchangeable, but diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can lessen be used instead of dwindle?

In some situations, the words lessen and dwindle are roughly equivalent. However, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than dwindle?

The words reduce and dwindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dwindle In a rural Louisiana farming community of 20,000 people, Meta is building a 4-million-square-foot AI data center, even as locals in Georgia grapple with a dwindling and discolored water supply following the construction of a similar facility that began in 2018. Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025 In what could be the last piece of federal jobs data released this week if the government shuts down, a new report Tuesday showed that the number of available roles remains low for the year, a sign that opportunities continue to dwindle for Americans looking for work. Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025 That human labor is also a dwindling resource, especially in entomology. Marion Renault, The Atlantic, 29 Sep. 2025 As Imelda moved even further offshore from Florida’s east coast, the threat of gusty winds and heavy rain dwindled. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dwindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindle
Verb
  • Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.
    Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
  • This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.
    Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their patches of habitat and their water sources are diminishing; their feeding timeline has grown increasingly erratic, and more barricades are being built all the time, limiting their freedom of movement.
    Ganesh Marín, The Dial, 7 Oct. 2025
  • And another sign the perception is of a Panthers team diminished.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Sesame oil is high in antioxidants that may help decrease the risk of cancer and heart disease, along with reducing joint pain related to arthritis.
    Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 4 Oct. 2025
  • As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There was some concern about Mayfield’s status for the Bucs’ Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but those worries were likely subsided after Mayfield was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.
    Michael Gallagher, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The annexation question appeared to subside for a time afterwards.
    Paula Newton, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In addition, holiday shopping began as early as July for some consumers, who were looking to avoid higher prices and shortages on retail shelves later in the year, inevitably depleting the sales tally for the traditional November through December holiday period.
    David Moin, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Plants that are heavy feeders or that have high water requirements may deplete resources mums need.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • And some items, though limited, have seen prices decline, including Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip ice cream, Montgomery Inn’s full rack of ribs, Pringles potato chips and Red and Blue Bicycle Playing cards (though a standard deck has risen 11% in line with the overall index.
    Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Netflix has declined to comment on Musk’s campaign.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This doesn’t necessarily mean suits and ties will vanish, only that players have options to get creative.
    Rob Rossi, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • In a daring escape a few months later, Bishnoi vanished, allegedly to settle a blood debt for a slain cousin, according to local media reports.
    Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Zay Flowers, who finished with a receiving line of 5-for-72, fell a yard short of a long TD on a 56-yard gain.
    Michael Salfino, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
  • City administrator echoes points other municipalities have stated Brown presented a series of slides and data pieces that, among other facts, showed the city has lagged further behind in terms of property revenue increases falling short of 3% inflation on existing services on average.
    Jim Riccioli, jsonline.com, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Dwindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindle. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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