diminishing 1 of 2

diminishing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of diminish
1
2
3

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 diminishing
Noun
The consequences of the economic crisis, migration, unemployment and diminishing access to education can sometimes be felt even more severely in smaller towns than in major cities. — Roberto Prieto, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026 Not only do these dramatic repetitions yield diminishing returns, Hicks also seems to run out of ways to answer with any kind of surprising modulation. — Siddhant Adlakha, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 Multiple observers cite diminishing prospects for luxury handbags. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2026 The team has been to the playoffs the past four years, generally with diminishing returns year after year. — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Of recognizing the Sisyphean task ahead, the endless, unchanging road diminishing in the distance, and taking another step anyway. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026 With the tariff threat to its business diminishing, Linamar has been able to turn the disruption to its advantage. — Ari Altstedter, Fortune, 17 Aug. 2026 For the actor, the story of Willy’s diminishing place in a changing world is increasingly contemporary. — Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026 Iran’s problem is the long-term cost of its current strategy; Washington’s problem is the diminishing returns on each additional night of bombing. — Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 30 July 2026
Verb
This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026 Choose opportunities that expand your options without diminishing your excellence. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 Funding a balanced budget without diminishing services to our community is always the top priority. — Miami Herald Staff, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2026 But people have decided to use their savings – and savings is diminishing. — CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, the housing market is getting crushed by high mortgage rates and diminishing affordability, while consumers are carrying ever more expensive credit card and auto debt. — John W. Diamond, The Conversation, 16 Sep. 2026 Seemingly, the only thing that could slow down the automobile takeover was diminishing fuel supplies, fear of which had become a fixation of American oil companies and government officials after the Armistice. — Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026 Having already weathered so many attacks aimed at diminishing its power, the remaining Iranian leadership, which learned to tolerate hardship in the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s, is unlikely to be cowed by further aggression. — James F. Jeffrey, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2026 Jamie Squire / Getty Images LB Bobby Wagner Wagner turned 36 in June, and last season with the Commanders, his diminishing athleticism affected his performance as a coverage player. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminishing
Noun
  • The long answer is that Estée Lauder’s Diamond Moisturizer is hydrating (as all moisturizers should be), firming, tightening, wrinkle-reducing, age spot-fading, and texture-smoothing.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Moisturizing, soothing, and redness reducing, Erborian’s CC Cream is the ultimate cult-favorite beauty product.
    — Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There is now little doubt that minimizing the damage from climate will require phasing down fossil fuels and reducing livestock herds.
    — Stephanie Walton, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026
  • This unique combination maintains all-to-all connectivity while minimizing the typical pitfalls of atom movement, including error accumulation, atom loss, and runtime delays.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • The flashing yellow phase at the traffic signal is also meant to help with traffic flow and reduce emissions by decreasing wait times at the light.
    — Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In addition, this development shows that behind-the-scenes diplomacy can still be effective, even in an atmosphere of decreasing trust among allies.
    — the Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Multiple Kelvin waves These waves can bring elevated sea levels for weeks at a time, eventually subsiding before the next wave hits.
    — Zoe Mintz, CBS News, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Two of them coincide with areas where satellite radar shows that the ground is actively subsiding.
    — Nolan Roth, Scientific American, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • The inaccuracies of the old map include the shortening of Africa, and the relative expansion of North America and Eurasia.
    — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 19 Sep. 2026
  • When heated, calcium carbonate forms solid scale inside water heaters, coffee makers and pipes, reducing efficiency and shortening equipment life.
    — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Now with Jane Doe recanting her claims, Carter’s attorneys have filed a notice to the judge, dismissing all claims against her — though their case against her former attorney, Buzbee, still stands.
    — Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In previous orders, Kiir has alarmed observers by dismissing important officials.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Compared to the rapidly declining number of referrals from traditional search engines — which once numbered in the tens of millions — these AI clicks are a tiny drop in the bucket.
    — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
  • North Central President Abiódún Gòkè-Paríolá said he was thrilled by the enrollment numbers, especially as colleges across the country are grappling with a declining high school graduate population.
    — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Emerging markets such as India, which entered the top 20 markets two years ago and now ranks 15th for Swiss watch exports by size, and Mexico are also contributing to a lessening of the dependency on wavering top markets, in particular China.
    — Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The good news for the Broadway ticket buyer is that there does not necessarily appear to be a lessening in the quality of these shows, despite their quick turnaround.
    — Katie North, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Diminishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminishing. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster