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
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
While tech giants pour billions into ever larger training runs, Hooker argues the approach is seeing diminishing returns.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The tech itself is also starting to show diminishing returns with each new model release.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
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
J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Palomar’s 48 partner agencies are similarly affected by diminishing VOCA funds.
—Maddy Keyes, The Frontier, 5 Mar. 2026
One concern is cognitive offloading, in which decision-makers defer too readily to algorithmic recommendations, effectively diminishing human accountability for strategic choices.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Finally, unnecessary technology usage in elementary grades is diminishing focus and harming academic performance.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The first is diminishing retail trader enthusiasm.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Couzijn was regarded by many as a cherished mentor who had a gift for guiding people without diminishing them.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
The primary reason behind the drop appears to be the diminishing presence of the lethal drug fentanyl in the drug supply, which began disappearing after China bent to international pressure and clamped down on companies exporting the chemicals to make the drug.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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
While tech giants pour billions into ever larger training runs, Hooker argues the approach is seeing diminishing returns.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The tech itself is also starting to show diminishing returns with each new model release.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
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
Verb
Puerto Rico is missing Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance restrictions, considerably diminishing their firepower, but have solid pitching and the advantage of playing at home in their group stage.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Palomar’s 48 partner agencies are similarly affected by diminishing VOCA funds.
—Maddy Keyes, The Frontier, 5 Mar. 2026
One concern is cognitive offloading, in which decision-makers defer too readily to algorithmic recommendations, effectively diminishing human accountability for strategic choices.
—Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 3 Mar. 2026
Finally, unnecessary technology usage in elementary grades is diminishing focus and harming academic performance.
—Alec Johnson, jsonline.com, 26 Feb. 2026
The first is diminishing retail trader enthusiasm.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Couzijn was regarded by many as a cherished mentor who had a gift for guiding people without diminishing them.
—Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 23 Feb. 2026
The primary reason behind the drop appears to be the diminishing presence of the lethal drug fentanyl in the drug supply, which began disappearing after China bent to international pressure and clamped down on companies exporting the chemicals to make the drug.
—Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 23 Feb. 2026
Our light is now diminishing from a vibrant flame to only a flicker of light, and the world is watching our demise.
—Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 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
-
That transition preserves the system’s optical degrees of freedom while minimizing scattering or power loss.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Most of Earth’s surface is covered with water, so the probe’s parts are most likely to hit the ocean—minimizing the risk to humans.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
There are some recent signs that HALO trading has been decreasing.—
Devika Rao,
TheWeek,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Luckily, Sleep Week brings the best mattress sales, at least partially decreasing the strain on your wallet.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
-
By Wednesday, the disruptions seemed to be subsiding, with nearly 200 grounded, according to the flight tracking website FlightAware.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
To make some, stir together equal parts flour, shortening, and vegetable oil, then brush this generously on the surface of the pan.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Despite the extraordinary decision, Mejia remained in custody while the case returned to Travis County — where was convicted and sentenced to life in prison — for the final legal step of dismissing the charges.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In February, Judge Arun Subramanian handed down a summary judgment dismissing that claim.—
Walden Green,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And the financial incentive for workers to take the leap to a new job has been steadily declining for years, as employees cling to their roles and hiring stagnates.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
-
For city officials, the agreement marks the most significant progress yet in their efforts to see the Sunrise Mall redeveloped from a declining retail center into a vibrant, mixed-use property with housing, entertainment and hotels.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2026.
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