as in diluting
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
Relevance
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 thinning
Research shows that caffeine increases the concentration of blood-thinning medication in the bloodstream, enhancing its effects.
—
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
Boost Flavor in a Flash Tomato paste adds instant richness without thinning the dish.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region’s mineral resources.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Even before the pandemic slammed doors shut, the old third spaces were already thinning out.
—Stephanie Hind, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
Insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and disrupted sleep patterns may contribute to thinning in people with an existing genetic predisposition.
—Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
To be sure, there can be benefits to thinning out excessive layers of hierarchy.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
All of these things can have a blood-thinning effect that can worsen bruising.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 Nov. 2025
This is especially important for people taking blood-thinning medications, like Warfarin.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Nov. 2025
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 7 Jan. 2026
Boost Flavor in a Flash Tomato paste adds instant richness without thinning the dish.
—Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 7 Jan. 2026
But climate change is thinning the Arctic ice, promising to create a northwest passage for international trade and reigniting competition with Russia, China and other countries over access to the region’s mineral resources.
—Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2026
Even before the pandemic slammed doors shut, the old third spaces were already thinning out.
—Stephanie Hind, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2026
Insulin resistance, chronic inflammation and disrupted sleep patterns may contribute to thinning in people with an existing genetic predisposition.
—Connie Etemadi, Miami Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
To be sure, there can be benefits to thinning out excessive layers of hierarchy.
—Ashton Jackson, CNBC, 29 Dec. 2025
All of these things can have a blood-thinning effect that can worsen bruising.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 11 Nov. 2025
This is especially important for people taking blood-thinning medications, like Warfarin.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thinning
Verb
-
The Olympics’ ability to spread itself out without diluting its iconic character will be worth following all February long.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
6 Jan. 2026
-
The smell will fade overtime as the blinds begin to dry, but diluting vinegar with water helps minimize the potency of the scent.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The president argued that inflation was already low enough to start cutting rates.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Trump has repeatedly blasted Powell for the Fed not cutting interest rates as much and as quickly as the president has demanded since entering the White House in January 2025.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The container is insulated and protected from weather and palletized for easy transport using a forklift for loading onto vehicles or aircraft.—
Gidget Fuentes,
USA Today,
5 Jan. 2026
-
There might also be loading instructions in the machine’s manual.—
Nafeesah Allen,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Milk, butter and cheese prices on the wholesale market and at grocery stores have decreased slightly due to oversupply and weakening consumer demand.—
Cheryl V. Jackson,
IndyStar,
9 Jan. 2026
-
This suggests consumers enter 2026 with continuing concerns over high prices and weakening labor market conditions.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinning. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share