1
as in reducing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the long winter dwindled our supply of firewood to practically nothing
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreasing
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
our hopes dwindled as the reports of more casualties came in
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of dwindling
Meanwhile, the critical Strait of Hormuz remains closed, driving concerns over dwindling oil stockpiles and a further oil shock, according to statements from the International Energy Agency, alongside banks and energy executives.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
And that number has been dwindling.
—Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Farmers have struggled to cover production costs, and dwindling state subsidies haven’t been sufficient to keep many businesses afloat, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
The other is fooling humans, particularly the dwindling number of journalists, critics, and other gatekeepers who are still capable of conferring legitimacy by paying attention.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Along with the ticket prices, the cultural capital for many artists is dwindling.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
Critics have argued the skyway makes the challenge of filling empty storefronts doubly difficult, as second-floor retail effectively splits a dwindling customer and retail base between two levels.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Despite the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed and oil inventories rapidly dwindling, investors are betting that the current ceasefire will be extended with a lasting peace eventually reopening the strait.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 May 2026
While working as a bartender on Nantucket, part of the island’s dwindling middle class, Claire’s world cracks open when her mother gets sick and her daughter moves home.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
And that number has been dwindling.
—Ashley Wu, New York Times, 18 May 2026
Farmers have struggled to cover production costs, and dwindling state subsidies haven’t been sufficient to keep many businesses afloat, according to officials.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2026
The other is fooling humans, particularly the dwindling number of journalists, critics, and other gatekeepers who are still capable of conferring legitimacy by paying attention.
—Lane Brown, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Along with the ticket prices, the cultural capital for many artists is dwindling.
—Devika Rao, TheWeek, 13 May 2026
Critics have argued the skyway makes the challenge of filling empty storefronts doubly difficult, as second-floor retail effectively splits a dwindling customer and retail base between two levels.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 10 May 2026
Despite the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed and oil inventories rapidly dwindling, investors are betting that the current ceasefire will be extended with a lasting peace eventually reopening the strait.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 10 May 2026
While working as a bartender on Nantucket, part of the island’s dwindling middle class, Claire’s world cracks open when her mother gets sick and her daughter moves home.
—Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 8 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindling
Verb
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Eco effort The Pig group’s 25-mile menu keeps suppliers local, reducing food miles and packaging in the process.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 May 2026
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Its document generation tools guide founders through complex legal processes step by step, reducing errors and ensuring completeness.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
Verb
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As chairman, Cassidy has had several clashes with the White House over confirmations, including for Kennedy due to his support for decreasing the number of vaccines children receive.—
Gabrielle M. Etzel,
The Washington Examiner,
13 May 2026
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San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced an overall 4% decrease, and unsheltered homelessness decreasing by 22% since the 2024 count.—
Robin Epley,
Sacbee.com,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Republican leaders won’t be able to count on much support from Democrats — or even from some of their GOP colleagues, who see a gas tax holiday as depleting money for highway projects.—
Nicholas Wu,
semafor.com,
14 May 2026
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This creates a new way to weaken an opponent over time by depleting supplies, reducing combat effectiveness, and forcing the abandonment of positions without committing large numbers of soldiers.—
Vikram Mittal,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
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Section Two of the Voting Rights Act was written to prevent diminishing the voting power of racial minorities by packing them into one district or spreading them out across many districts.—
Sarah Clifton,
USA Today,
16 May 2026
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Getty Images The Philadelphia Phillies have kept many of the same players on the roster since the team’s 2022 run all the way to the World Series, though the returns have been diminishing.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
Breezy winds return on Tuesday after subsiding somewhat on Monday.—
Rachael Jay,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
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But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Black Bear officials cited the program's declining participation rates and finances as the reason.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
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Sadly, bat populations are declining rapidly in North America.—
The Conversation,
Fortune,
14 May 2026
Verb
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The newest data fits a trend, alongside news that Chicago once again has the country’s busiest airfield and is a top tourist destination, disproving the narrative that the city is shrinking, said Erin Connelly, communication director for Mayor Brandon Johnson.—
Robert McCoppin,
Chicago Tribune,
14 May 2026
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For years, Warsh has stated repeatedly that the Fed must reduce its footprint in financial markets by shrinking the balance sheet to allow central bankers to primarily rely on their traditional tool — their key interest rate — to fight high inflation and high unemployment.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Mann is presented as the Last Civilized Man of a vanishing era, whose words, spoken before audiences of officials, are lofty and inspiring.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
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Despite the black-swan event of the Strait of Hormuz closing, wars in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, a slowing US labor market and the vanishing likelihood of the Fed cutting rates this year, tech stocks are on a tear.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Dwindling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindling. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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