1
as in disparagement
the act of making a person or a thing seem little or unimportant
she grew increasingly resentful of her coworker's constant diminishment of her new project ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened
there was a sharp diminishment in our savings after the college tuition bill was paid
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 diminishment
Will the loss or diminishment of newspapers leave a hole in society?
—
Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2026
The world can become a more just, stable and secure place despite the diminishment of American leadership.
—Peter Harris, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
This concurrence is perhaps a more pernicious one, because both menopause and dementia involve—or, in the case of menopause, can involve—the diminishment of cognitive function.
—Anna Holmes, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025
The diminishment of free speech.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
While integrating Woltemade has perhaps exacerbated the diminishment of those returns, the regression also hints at something more fundamental with Newcastle’s attacking set-up.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In other words, if Congress doesn’t act, Social Security could soon be headed for diminishment — but not extinction.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Some industry leaders aren’t convinced there is an impending diminishment in technology or development jobs either.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Arkansas Online, 10 Feb. 2026
The world can become a more just, stable and secure place despite the diminishment of American leadership.
—Peter Harris, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2026
This concurrence is perhaps a more pernicious one, because both menopause and dementia involve—or, in the case of menopause, can involve—the diminishment of cognitive function.
—Anna Holmes, New Yorker, 29 Nov. 2025
The diminishment of free speech.
—Richard Stengel, Time, 1 Oct. 2025
While integrating Woltemade has perhaps exacerbated the diminishment of those returns, the regression also hints at something more fundamental with Newcastle’s attacking set-up.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
In other words, if Congress doesn’t act, Social Security could soon be headed for diminishment — but not extinction.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2025
Some industry leaders aren’t convinced there is an impending diminishment in technology or development jobs either.
—Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminishment
Noun
-
And though Chalamet did not make such insults himself, his comments fit into this broader context of disparagement and dismissal.—
Chloe Angyal,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
-
As February ended, some of the things coming out of the coaches’ mouths felt more like despair than disparagement.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Unemployment insurance claims stood at 202,000 in the week ending March 28, a decrease of 9,000 from the previous week, according to Labor Department data.—
Rachel Barber,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
In addition to the decaying physical structure, Richards highlighted a decrease in correction officer staffing levels such that people inside do not feel safe.—
Steve Zeidman,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nowhere is there the vitriol or denigration found in MAGA gatherings.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
1 Apr. 2026
-
From the start, the denigration of the Iranian monarchy was at the center of the Islamic Republic’s official ideology.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The hotel has set waste and water reduction targets, including plastic and food waste prevention.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Pollution reduction, congestion reduction, improved safety, comfort, reliability.—
Jon Wertheim,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Keep receipts and other documents related to your purchase, since the purchase price is used to calculate depreciation for tax purposes.—
Nancy Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There's also the robot lifespan to consider; a March 12 SEC filing cited a four-year depreciation period for them.—
Rob Pegoraro,
PC Magazine,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert at GasBuddy, said prices at the pump could start dropping as soon as this weekend, although the decline could initially amount to only a few cents per gallon.—
Marissa Sulek,
CBS News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
While not endangered, American woodcocks have experienced a population decline in recent decades.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Descovich dismisses the criticism.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Wise's role at the Justice Department drew criticism from congressional Democrats.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The rise of Kalshi and Polymarket — major players in the fast-growing world of prediction markets — could put a dent in those revenues, Lang fears.—
Todd Bookman,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
-
There was also a large dent on the van's hood.—
Anna Meiler,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Diminishment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminishment. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
