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
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Recent Examples of thinning
The remaining fruit will be larger and more flavorful than without thinning.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
As Wiley entered menopause and experienced the hot flashes, hair-thinning, and other physical symptoms that come with it, her straightening treatment—once a moment for pampering—became an exhausting chore.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026
Aspirin can help prevent blood clots by thinning the blood.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Weight gain, thinning hair, and other issues are things that happen with aging.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 May 2026
With Wharton’s recent surgery and Brooks’ injury history, the Panthers are likely to be cautious about thinning the roster at their respective positions.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Under the thinning clouds, the Gulf was like a fogged mirror.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
That can show up as thinning, more shedding than usual, breakage, or a duller texture.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 14 May 2026
Symptoms may include irregular periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning hair, weight changes and infertility, according to the WHO and Cleveland Clinic.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 30 May 2026
As Wiley entered menopause and experienced the hot flashes, hair-thinning, and other physical symptoms that come with it, her straightening treatment—once a moment for pampering—became an exhausting chore.
—Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 29 May 2026
Aspirin can help prevent blood clots by thinning the blood.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 25 May 2026
Weight gain, thinning hair, and other issues are things that happen with aging.
—Torie Bosch, STAT, 23 May 2026
With Wharton’s recent surgery and Brooks’ injury history, the Panthers are likely to be cautious about thinning the roster at their respective positions.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 18 May 2026
Under the thinning clouds, the Gulf was like a fogged mirror.
—Stephen King, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
That can show up as thinning, more shedding than usual, breakage, or a duller texture.
—Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 14 May 2026
Symptoms may include irregular periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning hair, weight changes and infertility, according to the WHO and Cleveland Clinic.
—Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thinning
Verb
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In his letter, Markey said using surplus plutonium to produce energy would be significantly more expensive than diluting and disposing of it — the method the federal government was previously using to deal with the waste.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
2 June 2026
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Last quarter , the narrative against Palo Alto Networks was all its dealmaking was diluting earnings too much.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Or are the Red Sox better off cutting their losses, selling their pending free agents and looking ahead to 2027?—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
31 May 2026
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For fiscal year 2026, the administration proposed cutting NOAA’s budget by roughly 25 percent and eliminating the agency's research arm, the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the division that houses much of its climate work.—
Ingmar Rentzhog,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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On Friday, agents observed a man loading heavy items into a van outside the store and then driving to a nearby mechanic’s shop.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2026
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After loading the bases with no outs in the first inning Monday, two strikeouts followed.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Brooks Koepka, who rejoined the PGA Tour from LIV Golf in January, withdrew from the Charles Schwab Challenge at the last minute despite being originally scheduled to play, further weakening the field.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 May 2026
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Second, some worry that some of the financial safeguards and market disciplines developed after previous crises may be weakening.—
Robert Ginsburg,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinning. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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