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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
Most of the rooms were always just a little bit dim, making Valverde feel all the more intimate. — Chadner Navarro, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Aug. 2026 The impact flash, lasting less than a second, will probably be too dim to see, according to experts. — Marcia Dunn, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
Figueiro also recommends dimming the lights about two hours before bedtime. — Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Aug. 2026 Adaptive matrix headlights, which can selectively dim portions of the beam to avoid dazzling other drivers while maintaining maximum illumination elsewhere, are theoretically the technological solution to the problem. — Matthew MacConnell, ArsTechnica, 3 Aug. 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
  • 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
  • She’s talked up her push to convert darkened streetlights, many of them stripped of their copper wire, to solar power.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
Definition of darkened
Adjective
  • Cucumbers Cucumbers turn dull, yellow, and bitter if allowed to ripen.
    — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
  • And the company’s newest bot software automizes of the dullest jobs in retail — counting boxes.
    — Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of dull
Adjective
  • Entrepreneurs need this because being vague does not sell, attract referrals or earn trust.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The question is intentionally vague and confusing, and goes out of its way to evade the true purpose of the law.
    — Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of vague
Adjective
  • Those include Japan’s massive debt that exceeds 200% of GDP, fiscal stimulus that’s expected to worsen the deficit, and a central bank that’s been slow to raise rates in the face of high inflation.
    — Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Aug. 2026
  • With two outs, Junior Caminero hit a slow roller on a 1-2 slider that third baseman Encarnacion-Strand could not field cleanly for a run-scoring infield single.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of slow
Verb
  • In the years since Shakur’s murder, what exactly happened in that hail of bullets -- and who pulled the trigger -- was obscured by a lack of physical evidence, feuding cops and the gangland code of silence.
    — Sasha Pezenik, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Once there, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf watch as the butterfly approaches the outstretched hand of a woman whose face is obscured, before the ominous presence crushes it in her hands.
    — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of obscure
Adjective
  • In Helaena’s room, Rhaenyra finds a tapestry Helaena had just finished sewing that predicts a dark and fiery end for Rhaenyra in the future.
    — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For somewhere closer to home, check a light pollution map and head to an area that looks dark.
    — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 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
  • Led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, the mission aims to detect the faint 21-centimeter radio line emitted by early hydrogen atoms operating at low frequencies (10–50 MHz), a signal never before directly observed.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026
  • During search operations, hundreds of onlookers and volunteers must be kept quiet enough in the middle of a bustling city to listen for the faintest sign of life.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of faint

Phrases Containing dim

Browse Nearby Words

diluting
dim
dim bulb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dim.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dim. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dim

Nglish: Translation of dim for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All