1
as in polluted
containing foreign or lower-grade substances
genuine maple syrup thinned with corn syrup
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in thin
not containing very much of some important element
the thinned iced tea that the restaurant serves is barely distinguishable from water
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in diluted
to alter (something) for the worse with the addition of foreign or lower-grade substances
thinned the cream with milk but didn't tell anyone
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 thinned
Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
Motherhood thinned my attention, but not entirely.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Higher tariffs have driven up the prices of construction materials and equipment, while the crackdown on undocumented workers has thinned and spooked much of the international workforce on which the housing industry depends.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The summer crowds have thinned, the air is crisp and cool, and the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow.
—Linnea Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
By the time the crowd thinned, Lincoln’s hand was sore.
—Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The crowds had thinned, a table for lunch at the No Name Saloon was easy to acquire, and the dulcet tones of power tools filled the air as the Chase Sapphire Lounge was dismantled.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Feb. 2026
Footage also showed a brief standoff between police and remaining agitators before the crowd thinned.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Their staff was thinned and battered toward the end of the year.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Verb
Winter tends to be the best time to get rid of honeysuckle because the foliage has thinned.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 19 Feb. 2026
Motherhood thinned my attention, but not entirely.
—Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Higher tariffs have driven up the prices of construction materials and equipment, while the crackdown on undocumented workers has thinned and spooked much of the international workforce on which the housing industry depends.
—Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The summer crowds have thinned, the air is crisp and cool, and the leaves turn brilliant shades of orange, red, and yellow.
—Linnea Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
By the time the crowd thinned, Lincoln’s hand was sore.
—Harold Holzer, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
The crowds had thinned, a table for lunch at the No Name Saloon was easy to acquire, and the dulcet tones of power tools filled the air as the Chase Sapphire Lounge was dismantled.
—Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Feb. 2026
Footage also showed a brief standoff between police and remaining agitators before the crowd thinned.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Their staff was thinned and battered toward the end of the year.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thinned
Adjective
-
Weather officials urge people to limit their outdoor activity as much as possible, especially those with existing health issues, to avoid breathing in the polluted air.—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Caleb Roberts, the director of Downwinders at Risk, said once again, the most vulnerable and polluted communities are left behind.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
To remove the wax, wipe out softened wax with paper towels, add cotton balls to absorb the liquid wax, or let the wax harden and remove it by popping it out with a thin plastic spatula.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The procedure uses a thin, flexible catheter introduced through a small incision in the femoral artery near the groin.—
MemorialCare,
Oc Register,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Then give it a monthly shot of liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, to replenish the nutrients after the flower show.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
-
For nails and hair On the hair, rosehip oil can be applied to the ends, preferably diluted with a carrier oil like argon oil, to add shine and help control frizz.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Second, a dilute hydrochloric acid is used to dissolve the remaining lithium and the transition metals—nickel, cobalt, and manganese.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Oct. 2025
-
For example, Wilson’s team is exploring whether dilute acids speed up weathering.—
Robert F. Service,
Science | AAAS,
3 Sep. 2020
Verb
-
This week’s spat in Belgium came soon after the US ambassador to Poland, Tom Rose, announced on February 5 that the US would cut ties with Włodzimierz Czarzasty, the speaker of Poland’s lower parliament, the Sejm.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Superintendent Brian Yearwood originally proposed cutting academic instructional coaches as part of a plan to address a $188 million deficit in the 2026-27 budget.—
Kathryn Muchnick,
Louisville Courier Journal,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Leptospirosis can also be found in contaminated water or soil and is spread by rodents.—
Michele Laufik,
Martha Stewart,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Dealing with repairs because of the contaminated gas?—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The gun was not loaded, Boyd said, and a preliminary investigation determined that there was no threat to specific students or the school.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Outfielder Travis Chestnut laid down a bunt that loaded the bases.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Lightweight, flushable and eco‑friendly, this mixed tofu litter locks in odors fast while staying gentle on paws and easy on the planet.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Though results are mixed, several studies show that this herb reduced the number of migraines and the severity of symptoms.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
20 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinned. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
