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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Loper said many states are facing difficulties raising money for transportation and anticipate diminishing revenue from taxes on gas as efficiency continues to improve and as electric vehicles become more common.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
There is a limit to how many employees a company can lay off before seeing diminishing returns.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Others point to their own skills diminishing.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
With Haliburton, the Pacers are set there, so protecting a pick further into the lottery had diminishing value for Indiana.
—Jay King, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The ability to comfortably live in California has become more difficult for the average resident, as the cost of living and the dollar's diminishing value have increased over the last year, said Theresa Rutherford, president of SEIU 1020.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Spring-Flowering Trees To avoid removing flower buds and diminishing—or halting entirely—the annual floral show, wait to prune trees that bloom before July until they are done flowering.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
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
Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
This put him in the unusual position of being both an embarrassment and a hugely valuable asset to the BBC, as well as the focus of frequent criticism from the UK’s right-leaning media, most of whom have a commercial interest in diminishing the BBC.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Ukraine’s own long-range attacks are aimed at diminishing Russia’s oil production, which is a key source of funding for Moscow, and disrupting weapon production.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Ukraine needs more air defense help Ukraine’s own long-range attacks are aimed at diminishing Russia’s oil production, which is a key source of funding for Moscow, and disrupting weapon production.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Confidence Doesn’t Require an Apology Corporate culture often reinforces self-diminishing behavior.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
The singer-songwriter’s forthright and wistful new record, Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me, is an exercise in revisitation that yields expanding, not diminishing, returns.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Erie Auto Plus increases coverage limits, adds diminishing deductible and a death benefit of up to $10,000.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 28 May 2026
But for a sport with more than 130 teams, finding the right balance of allowing more teams into the tournament without diminishing the importance of the regular season has been difficult.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
Noun
But there is no doubt that the NAACP is right about the contradiction of people cheering the exploits of Black athletes at college programs while also cheering the diminishing of Black political representation.
—Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 4 June 2026
Loper said many states are facing difficulties raising money for transportation and anticipate diminishing revenue from taxes on gas as efficiency continues to improve and as electric vehicles become more common.
—Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 31 May 2026
There is a limit to how many employees a company can lay off before seeing diminishing returns.
—David Trainer, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
Others point to their own skills diminishing.
—Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
With Haliburton, the Pacers are set there, so protecting a pick further into the lottery had diminishing value for Indiana.
—Jay King, New York Times, 13 May 2026
The ability to comfortably live in California has become more difficult for the average resident, as the cost of living and the dollar's diminishing value have increased over the last year, said Theresa Rutherford, president of SEIU 1020.
—Paris Barraza, USA Today, 1 May 2026
Spring-Flowering Trees To avoid removing flower buds and diminishing—or halting entirely—the annual floral show, wait to prune trees that bloom before July until they are done flowering.
—Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2026
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
Verb
The swell on Saturday, which brought moderate 3-to 5-foot surf, was diminishing by the evening and into Sunday, said Sebastian Westerink, meteorologist for the National Weather Service.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 7 June 2026
This put him in the unusual position of being both an embarrassment and a hugely valuable asset to the BBC, as well as the focus of frequent criticism from the UK’s right-leaning media, most of whom have a commercial interest in diminishing the BBC.
—Matt Slater, New York Times, 4 June 2026
Ukraine’s own long-range attacks are aimed at diminishing Russia’s oil production, which is a key source of funding for Moscow, and disrupting weapon production.
—ABC News, 3 June 2026
Ukraine needs more air defense help Ukraine’s own long-range attacks are aimed at diminishing Russia’s oil production, which is a key source of funding for Moscow, and disrupting weapon production.
—Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Confidence Doesn’t Require an Apology Corporate culture often reinforces self-diminishing behavior.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 2 June 2026
The singer-songwriter’s forthright and wistful new record, Philadelphia’s Been Good to Me, is an exercise in revisitation that yields expanding, not diminishing, returns.
—Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 29 May 2026
Erie Auto Plus increases coverage limits, adds diminishing deductible and a death benefit of up to $10,000.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 28 May 2026
But for a sport with more than 130 teams, finding the right balance of allowing more teams into the tournament without diminishing the importance of the regular season has been difficult.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 May 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
-
As with minimizing soil disturbance, this, too, helps tremendously with controlling erosion, increasing the carbon content of soil and conserving moisture.—
Special to The Denver Post,
Denver Post,
29 May 2026
-
Ambush hunting enables energy conservation while minimizing the risks associated with pursuit; remaining motionless in water for hours also costs comparatively little.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Over time, the theory goes, this will disrupt the reproduction cycle, thereby increasing competition and decreasing the overall population.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
-
Following the trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 360 shares of DOV, decreasing its weighting in the portfolio to about 2% from 3%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
If your garden is anything like mine, your poppies have petered out and your sages are subsiding.—
Pedro Moura,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Breezy winds return on Tuesday after subsiding somewhat on Monday.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Stress-relieving travel can also slow the shortening of telomeres, one of the indicators of biological age.—
Alessandra Signorelli,
Vogue,
29 May 2026
-
Once in place, attackers are prevented from pivoting freely from segment to segment, thereby containing potential attacks, shortening mitigation timelines and lowering financial impact.—
Jaushin Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
As the media fixates on the digital natives known as Gen Z and Gen Alpha — often dismissing them as antisocial and entitled members of society — Saturday’s celebration showed that younger generations might actually have it all under control.—
Andrea Flores,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Democrats criticized Republicans for dismissing attempts at meaningful reform.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Verb
-
Writers and reporters at the conference are learning how to improve their coverage of topics, including changes to education at the federal and state levels, the use of artificial intelligence in schools, and declining enrollment.—
Kellye Lynn,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
As Hartford education officials work to mitigate a large budget deficit, a report from an outside firm The Connecticut State Department of Education hired to review Hartford Public Schools’ financials found that declining enrollment and decisions regarding salaries and hiring are to blame.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Tehran blames the foreign ministry of Lebanon, particularly foreign minister Youssef Raggi, for the ‘lessening of solidarity with Iran.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Diminishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminishing. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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