Definition of diminishnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diminish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of diminish are abate, decrease, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When is abate a more appropriate choice than diminish?

In some situations, the words abate and diminish are roughly equivalent. However, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When would decrease be a good substitute for diminish?

While the synonyms decrease and diminish are close in meaning, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Where would dwindle be a reasonable alternative to diminish?

The meanings of dwindle and diminish largely overlap; however, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

In what contexts can lessen take the place of diminish?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminish, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When could reduce be used to replace diminish?

The synonyms reduce and diminish are sometimes interchangeable, but 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 diminish Along with concerns about diminishing housing supply, opponents said the measure would shift costs onto small property owners. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 23 Mar. 2026 As the 11-year cycle downshifts from solar maximum to solar minimum, the lights will begin to diminish in frequency and intensity. The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2026 But an implosion against the juggernaut doesn’t fully diminish Iowa’s strong closing stretch. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026 Homelessness is a subject that cuts to the core of Mamdani’s vision of a New York where safety and inclusivity are not in conflict, where the quality of life in the city is improved and not diminished by one’s proximity to fellow New Yorkers. Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for diminish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminish
Verb
  • How can the footprint of the building and a three-level parking structure to house about 300 cars be minimized?
    Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 22 Mar. 2026
  • This will help bolster TSA efforts to keep our skies safe and minimize air travel disruptions.
    Tara Lynch, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
    CA Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Gold has been one of the better-performing assets over the past year, and when markets get choppy, leveraged funds and institutional investors tend to reduce exposure.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 24 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Declining spring precipitation and rising temperatures have caused the Colorado’s flow to decrease by nearly 20 percent over the past quarter century.
    Mira Rojanasakul, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2026
  • After the 15th Street bike lanes were constructed, bicycle injury crashes decreased by 91 percent, according to the District Department of Transportation.
    Liam Scott, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The owners who were arrested were charged with felonies; however, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg later dismissed the case due to conflicts of interest.
    Marley Malenfant, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
  • As part of the plea agreement, two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child — another third-degree felony — as well as a class-A misdemeanor charge of child abuse and a class-B misdemeanor charge of criminal mischief were dismissed.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • My awe had barely subsided when, two minutes later, James got the ball, raced just past the free-throw line, and took flight.
    Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • And that dispute has not subsided.
    James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • One person sustained minor injuries but declined hospitalization.
    Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 20 Mar. 2026
  • Over the next 25 years, East Asia, Europe, and Russia will all experience significant population declines.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Diminish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminish. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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