1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the long winter dwindled our supply of firewood to practically nothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to diminish
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
our hopes dwindled as the reports of more casualties came in
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 dwindle
Apply insecticide to soil to control or eliminate an armadillo's food source, though a dwindling food supply can encourage armadillos to root more for a new source.
—
Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
Obamacare choices decline throughout Wisconsin In seven counties, including Milwaukee, the number of insurers selling marketplace plans will dwindle from seven to three, according to data from the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
No state is required to exceed federal law unless there are such requirements in their own state law, as is the case in a dwindling number of states including California.
—Marc Lampe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Duffy now worries that the current pool of candidates at the FAA’s academy in Oklahoma City may dwindle when student stipends run out next week.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dwindle
Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Oct. 2025
Obamacare choices decline throughout Wisconsin In seven counties, including Milwaukee, the number of insurers selling marketplace plans will dwindle from seven to three, according to data from the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 28 Oct. 2025
No state is required to exceed federal law unless there are such requirements in their own state law, as is the case in a dwindling number of states including California.
—Marc Lampe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Oct. 2025
Duffy now worries that the current pool of candidates at the FAA’s academy in Oklahoma City may dwindle when student stipends run out next week.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dwindle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindle
Verb
-
October has seen 93 blank sailings, up from 58 in September, according to data from maritime research firm Drewry, with container capacity reduced by roughly 7 percent month over month.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
29 Oct. 2025
-
By cutting the cost and complexity of closings, the company hopes to expand access to homeownership, reduce fraud, and help smaller regional title firms compete with national giants.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Adopting China’s position in this way would be a blunder, diminishing Taiwan’s resolve to resist Chinese aggression and coercion.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Social media feeds can lead people toward the dark side with negative content or content that can diminish self-esteem.—
NPR,
NPR,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
When nighttime temperatures consistently stay below 70°F in the South, the grass growth rate significantly decreases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint mobility.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Dray also highlighted Honeywell’s strong and enduring core businesses, which subsiding headwinds from here should allow the market to focus better on.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
-
As the mid-Missouri heat and humidity finally subside, any outdoor activity—from the perfect wine picnic to a Katy Trail hike—is much more pleasant.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson is out with a knee injury, and running back Breece Hall is questionable with a knee issue, further depleting the Jets' offensive options.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The plug-in hybrid now offers an electric-only range of about 80 miles, while overall efficiency improves to the equivalent of 84 miles per gallon once the battery is depleted.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
No Buffett, no premium Since Warren Buffett announced his retirement from Berkshire Hathaway its stock has declined 11% in a period when the S&P 500 rose 20%.—
Geoff Colvin,
Fortune,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Baldwin’s lawyers declined to comment on Kenney’s suit.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Then 13, Megumi vanished in 1977 on her way home from school in the coastal city of Niigata.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Then, in 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 vanished.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Grandma's fall inspires middle schooler's invention Kevin said his grandmother, who lives with his family, fell at home about five years ago.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
-
The Phillies clearly have work to do this offseason after falling short in the NLCS, but restoring the relationship with Harper and emphasizing how false the rumors are needs to be a top priority.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Dwindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindle. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share