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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
But the prospects of the world’s two biggest powers coming up with a breakthrough appear dim. — Aamer Madhani, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 That level of light is quite dim—even lower than the ambient light that might peek into a bedroom from a hallway nightlight, according to Rasi Wickramasinghe, MD, PhD, FACC, chief of cardiology at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital. — Stephanie Anderson Witmer, HEALTH, 17 Sep. 2026
Verb
The end of summer, with its dimming heat and the dregs of a luxuriously unstructured schedule, is not it. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 All of Broadway was about to dim their marquees in honor of those lost on 9/11. — Tom Selleck, USA Today, 11 Sep. 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
  • Gently Scrape It Off Once the wax has fully hardened, use a dull tool, like as a butter knife or hard plastic spatula, to gently lift it off the fabric.
    — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026
  • No stranger to the brand’s lineup (hey, Ginseng Essence Water and Revive Serum), ginseng is a key ingredient in this formula, helping to brighten dull skin, boost circulation, and provide all the calming vibes.
    — Sarah Han, Allure, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • The lawsuit demands a trial by jury and deems the decorum policy overly broad and vague.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026
  • The segment is naggingly vague with both of them showing love for Ye in spite of unlisted flaws.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • The slowest can count roughly 500 bills a minute, or about eight bills a second, while the fastest can count 2,000-plus bills a minute, or about 33-plus bills a second.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Heading south on Highway 395, a must do is slow down and take the June Lake Loop which is a riot of fall colors.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of slow
Verb
  • Faces were often obscured with colored dots, to draw the viewer’s attention away from an image’s central figures to the surrounding elements.
    — Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Yet, on balance, the negative news has served to obscure the good, both for individual consumers and the nation at large.
    — Rob Wile, NBC news, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • Beaches emptied out and dark clouds swirled above choppy seas, while Mexican authorities temporarily suspended classes in a number of areas on Tuesday.
    — DESIREE BROOKS, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Set against these dark parts of the educational system, Lee convincingly casts hagwons as third spaces that advance the hopes of an entire community.
    — Sanjena Sathian, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of dark
Adjective
  • 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
  • The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.
    — Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025
Definition of matte
Adjective
  • The backstory For most of my life, the Old Dutch Inn has been just a faint memory of kicking my legs from a bar stool, drinking a Shirley Temple next to my late grandmother, who would likely have been nursing a gin and tonic.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The outcry over data centers — warehouses that contain the hardware for powering artificial intelligence and other technology — was only a faint murmur when McCallister first saw the survey markers.
    — Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Sep. 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 29 Sep. 2026.

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