as in reducing
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
1
as in minimizing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
tends to diminish any rival's accomplishments with snide remarks
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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 diminishing
Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
The Hyperion Avenue store is a throwback to a time of individualized service in an era of big-box anonymity and diminishing expertise.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Studies on perfectionism show that the pursuit of flawlessness often yields diminishing returns while increasing stress.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
But efforts to mitigate human harms—restricting harvests, remodeling dams, breeding salmon in hatcheries—are yielding diminishing returns.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Classic challenges like the talent show and Snatch Game have had diminishing returns.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2026
As the war dragged on, Israel’s military operations suffered diminishing returns, a problem compounded by the accumulating damage to its international reputation.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Whether this trilogy represents a diminishing or a refinement depends on one’s patience for the joke.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
The ever-improving forecast calls for diminishing chances of rain next weekend, setting the stage for a strong grand finale to Del Mar’s 12th fall meeting.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025
Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Which wouldn’t be such a bad outcome for most documentary films — arguably moviedom’s most beleaguered genre due to diminishing audience appetite at the multiplex level.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
But news of her return hade made waves in the weeks ahead of her appearance, diminishing some of the intrigue as a result.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
If the paths for getting there—which may include postgraduate study in a doctoral program or professional school—are diminishing, then college itself will follow suit.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Sources at the club who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect relationships say there is no diminishing faith in Hurzeler at boardroom level.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The committee’s Democratic members savaged Rubio for diminishing America’s global role; the meeting grew so rancorous that Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho who was Rubio’s closest friend in the Senate, had to repeatedly bang his gavel to bring order.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Gold futures, which are seen as a hedge against diminishing Fed independence, jumped 2% in early trading.
—John Melloy,yun Li, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026
Compassionate Venus faces expansive Jupiter across your 4th House of Inner Needs and 10th House of Respect, urging choices that protect your home without diminishing your reputation.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
Yet Trump’s attacks and distractions may be yielding diminishing returns beyond his base.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
The Hyperion Avenue store is a throwback to a time of individualized service in an era of big-box anonymity and diminishing expertise.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Studies on perfectionism show that the pursuit of flawlessness often yields diminishing returns while increasing stress.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
But efforts to mitigate human harms—restricting harvests, remodeling dams, breeding salmon in hatcheries—are yielding diminishing returns.
—Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2026
Classic challenges like the talent show and Snatch Game have had diminishing returns.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Jan. 2026
As the war dragged on, Israel’s military operations suffered diminishing returns, a problem compounded by the accumulating damage to its international reputation.
—Daniel Byman, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025
Whether this trilogy represents a diminishing or a refinement depends on one’s patience for the joke.
—Literary Hub, 10 Dec. 2025
The ever-improving forecast calls for diminishing chances of rain next weekend, setting the stage for a strong grand finale to Del Mar’s 12th fall meeting.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2025
Verb
From there, steamboats of diminishing sizes could make their way up the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri rivers and smaller ones like the Tennessee, Arkansas and even the Wabash.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Which wouldn’t be such a bad outcome for most documentary films — arguably moviedom’s most beleaguered genre due to diminishing audience appetite at the multiplex level.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026
But news of her return hade made waves in the weeks ahead of her appearance, diminishing some of the intrigue as a result.
—Blake Oestriecher, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
If the paths for getting there—which may include postgraduate study in a doctoral program or professional school—are diminishing, then college itself will follow suit.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Sources at the club who spoke to The Athletic on condition of anonymity to protect relationships say there is no diminishing faith in Hurzeler at boardroom level.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The committee’s Democratic members savaged Rubio for diminishing America’s global role; the meeting grew so rancorous that Senator Jim Risch, a Republican from Idaho who was Rubio’s closest friend in the Senate, had to repeatedly bang his gavel to bring order.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Gold futures, which are seen as a hedge against diminishing Fed independence, jumped 2% in early trading.
—John Melloy,yun Li, CNBC, 11 Jan. 2026
Compassionate Venus faces expansive Jupiter across your 4th House of Inner Needs and 10th House of Respect, urging choices that protect your home without diminishing your reputation.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 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 quarterly rebalanced assortment of large-, mid-, and small-cap RV Portfolio stocks offers an adaptable way to capitalize on favorable market conditions while minimizing losses when the market declines, as detailed in RV Portfolio performance metrics.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Once stationary, deactivate all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights remain unlit, minimizing the chance of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Supports Heart Health Magnesium and turmeric together may reduce the risk of heart disease by decreasing inflammation, improving circulation, and supporting cardiovascular function.—
Lindsay Curtis,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Back then, debasement was done by decreasing the amount of precious metals within gold and silver coins that were used as currency and increasing the amount of cheaper base metals, like copper.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sausalito crews set up a 4-inch pump near Gate 5 Road in the city’s northernmost neighborhood, where the grounds have been subsiding.—
Steven Rosenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Using a pastry blender, cut in the ⅓ cup butter and the shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.—
Jenavieve Christensen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Jan. 2026
-
With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to shortening mixture, in 3 additions, alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture; beat until just combined after each addition.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
25 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While skepticism toward artificial intelligence is understandable, dismissing AI as inherently harmful overlooks both history and reality.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
If doubts appear from seemingly nowhere, make a point of uncovering their roots before dismissing them.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The company‘s core broadband business continues declining as customers abandon cable for wireless 5G alternatives.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Arnaout believes the absence of Maher took a mental toll on Wael which led to his health declining.—
Nicquel Terry Ellis,
CNN Money,
29 Jan. 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 3 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
