dim 1 of 2

adjective

ˈdim How to pronounce dim (audio)
Definition of dimnext
1
as in darkened
being without light or without much light a dim, windowless room in the basement of the house

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2
as in dulled
lacking a surface luster or gloss over time, exposure to ultraviolet light will make bright pigments turn dim

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3
as in vague
not seen or understood clearly have only a dim knowledge of the subject

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4
as in slow
not having or showing an ability to absorb ideas readily our dog is kind of dim, but very sweet-natured

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dim

2 of 2

verb

as in to obscure
to make dark, dim, or indistinct the storm clouds dimmed our view of the city from the airplane

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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 dim
Adjective
There’s also an under-display FaceTime camera on the inner screen that’s okay in good light but really quite bad in dim light. — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 21 Oct. 2026 Expect dim conditions to fade leaf patterns and limit blooms or new plantlets. — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
And in North Carolina, the main super PAC supporting Senate Republicans — the Senate Leadership Fund — scaled back its spending for Michael Whatley earlier this month, a sign of the dimming prospects for holding the seat. — Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026 Now, the market is stalled by surging mortgage rates, the compounding effect from years of rising home prices and an economic outlook dimmed by high inflation. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dim
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dim
  1. darkened
  2. dull
  3. vague
  4. slow
  5. obscure
  6. dark
  7. matte
  8. faint
Adjective
  • Around them stand darkened houses, and uncollected trash piles up on the street.
    — Will Freeman, Foreign Affairs, 17 Sep. 2026
  • This trend has been pretty pervasive among designer bags recently, with shoppers buying new Prada and Chanel bags with darkened leather to give them a used look, or sourcing vintage Celine bags with obvious signs of wear.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • Like scoops of an ocean unmarred by humans, quarts of seaweed soup sit next to other flavors like spicy beef and pine nut and soybean, a shade of creamy beige so calming, one glance is enough to effectively absolve the color of its dull reputation.
    — Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
  • If your skin's looking a little dull or feeling rough, the best alpha hydroxy acid products might be exactly what your routine is missing.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • The steps and skills required to adequately shop for groceries or pick out the right kindergarten for a child are broad and vague.
    — Lisa Eadicicco, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Trump’s allegations, the judge found, were vague, conclusory and sometimes contradicted by the article itself.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • Stuttering drum patterns and elastic basslines rub up against glossy keyboards and slow piano chords, blending early 2000s sounds with the futuristic sensuality of Kelela.
    — Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
  • On the earnings growth front, while emerging markets on average are expected to deliver a 45% improvement, India's forecast is much slower at 11%, as per Bernstein.
    — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of slow
Verb
  • As light mist obscured the far-off Chicago skyline, only the faint sounds of metal cranes clanging and construction vehicles beeping in the distance broke up the quiet morning at Park 566 in South Shore.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The result is enough glare remaining to obscure a planet, but Wang and colleagues developed a new approach to this problem.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • The refreshing under-eye treatments are formulated to smooth, firm, and brighten crow’s feet and dark circles.
    — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The helmet uses a carbon-fiber shell to help control weight and comes supplied with clear and dark visors, as well as a Pinlock anti-fog insert.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • The finish is a semi-matte—smooth, satin, and shine-free—that looks looks like velvet on the lips.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Its 85-inch QLED display features a highly matte anti-glare screen, so your art and movies look lifelike without annoying reflections.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 11 Mar. 2026
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • As light mist obscured the far-off Chicago skyline, only the faint sounds of metal cranes clanging and construction vehicles beeping in the distance broke up the quiet morning at Park 566 in South Shore.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The brightest planets are 100,000 times fainter than their host stars, meaning spotting them is like observing a firefly hovering around a lighthouse.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of faint

Phrases Containing dim

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diluting
dim
dim bulb
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Cite this Entry

“Dim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dim. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

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