as in reducing
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1
as in minimizing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
tends to diminish any rival's accomplishments with snide remarks
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2
as in decreasing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the state's blood supplies were severely diminished by the two consecutive disasters
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3
as in subsiding
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the sound of the train diminished as our distance from it increased
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diminishing
Roxane Razavi, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Based on the diminishing returns of the Reading Challenge over the years (at this point, the Library needs to be shut down and defunded.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Pollsters began noting diminishing approval for LGBTQ legal protections.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
But its premise never evolves enough to let loose in ridiculous fashion, yielding diminishing returns.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The diminishing results amplified his idiosyncrasies.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Azerbaijan in recent years has developed ties with Israel and the United States, with Iran's influence in the South Caucasus region diminishing.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
One plus from the offseason is that Brandon Nimmo’s bat has not shown the diminishing signs that Semien’s displayed the last two years.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
The tech itself is also starting to show diminishing returns with each new model release.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Without sufficient funds, the upkeep of these amenities may decline, potentially lowering property values and diminishing residents’ quality of life.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
The administration has lowered the visibility of CDC, Daskalakis says, diminishing a key role of the agency.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Lightning is diminishing over shipping lanes as a result of the use of cleaner fuel.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Two other legal actions challenged a federal effort to remove undocumented immigrants from states’ census counts, potentially reducing the number of seats California could hold in Congress and diminishing funding for various programs.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Now, that revenue stream is diminishing, replaced by empty buildings and ideological spite.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
The diminishing snow has, in turn, shrunk the Colorado River.
—Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 2026
Noun
Consolidation of power This diminishing of the role of the presidency and political legitimacy forms the background to any questions of succession now.
—Roxane Razavi, The Conversation, 2 Apr. 2026
Based on the diminishing returns of the Reading Challenge over the years (at this point, the Library needs to be shut down and defunded.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2026
Pollsters began noting diminishing approval for LGBTQ legal protections.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
But its premise never evolves enough to let loose in ridiculous fashion, yielding diminishing returns.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The diminishing results amplified his idiosyncrasies.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Azerbaijan in recent years has developed ties with Israel and the United States, with Iran's influence in the South Caucasus region diminishing.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
One plus from the offseason is that Brandon Nimmo’s bat has not shown the diminishing signs that Semien’s displayed the last two years.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
The tech itself is also starting to show diminishing returns with each new model release.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
Indeed, the need for RTGs was laid bare by Curiosity and Perseverance's predecessors, the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity, which were purely solar powered but suffered from diminishing power as Martian dust covered their solar arrays.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Without sufficient funds, the upkeep of these amenities may decline, potentially lowering property values and diminishing residents’ quality of life.
—Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
The administration has lowered the visibility of CDC, Daskalakis says, diminishing a key role of the agency.
—Pien Huang, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026
Lightning is diminishing over shipping lanes as a result of the use of cleaner fuel.
—Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Two other legal actions challenged a federal effort to remove undocumented immigrants from states’ census counts, potentially reducing the number of seats California could hold in Congress and diminishing funding for various programs.
—Sacbee.com, 23 Mar. 2026
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
Now, that revenue stream is diminishing, replaced by empty buildings and ideological spite.
—Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
The diminishing snow has, in turn, shrunk the Colorado River.
—Jonathan Thompson, Denver Post, 18 Mar. 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
-
The serum is formulated with a holy grail powerhouse that consists of a fortifying complex, firming complex, and Matrixyl 3000—all pivotal for minimizing signs of aging.—
Alicia Geigel,
Southern Living,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Maybe so, but there's no minimizing the impact of size this week in Indianapolis.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Consumers can also look for savings at home by decreasing energy costs—for instance, by keeping the air conditioner at a higher temperature.—
Austin Carter,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Rather than decreasing the volume of betting, this restriction weakens legal operators by removing the clearest signals consumers have about which platforms are regulated and safe.—
Cláudia Nunes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
If stiffness appears after walks, shortening outings can help keep the experience positive for both dog and owner.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Minnesota public universities can continue to offer in-state tuition and scholarships to some immigrants in the country without legal status, a federal judge ruled on Friday, dismissing a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice last summer that attempted to halt the programs.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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While widely dismissing the appeal, the Court also referred preliminary questions to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) regarding certain aspects of the obligation mechanism, leaving the legal debate open.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
European luxury is entering a high-stakes first-quarter reporting period as sentiment has taken a decisive hit, just as many of the sector's big names were nearing a turning point after years of declining sales.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The Royal Navy has shrunk dramatically since the Cold War ended, with combat-ready ships declining from 166 in 1975 to 66 in 2025, following decades of military spending cuts.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While appearing radical at the time, the revamping of scientific boards to include more industry representatives, the undoing of power plant rules and the lessening of enforcement hobbled but did not completely undo the agency.—
Barbara Kates-Garnick,
The Conversation,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The good news is that GPT-5 will presumably be somewhat less than gushingly friendly, though the lessening might be variable and of a mixed result.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diminishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminishing. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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