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
In a move to bolster their thinning outfield, the Phillies acquired veteran Derek Hill from the Chicago White Sox on Thursday in a marginal trade for two prospects.
—
Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Regular harvesting and pruning will keep the plants from turning woody and thinning out.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Clover tends to pop up in areas where the lawn is thinning or brown and attracts pollinators like bees.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
For one, the event was sparsely attended, highlighting the dearth of foreign visitors and the thinning ranks of bankers, executives, and investors in the city.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 June 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
Matt Gelb, New York Times, 11 June 2026
Regular harvesting and pruning will keep the plants from turning woody and thinning out.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Clover tends to pop up in areas where the lawn is thinning or brown and attracts pollinators like bees.
—David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 6 June 2026
For one, the event was sparsely attended, highlighting the dearth of foreign visitors and the thinning ranks of bankers, executives, and investors in the city.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 4 June 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thinning
Verb
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The Supreme Court asked the lower court to look at its recent ruling in Louisiana, which weakened the Voting Rights Act — a law that previously placed sharp limits on states’ diluting the power of minority voters.—
Kaylah Jackson,
NBC news,
3 June 2026
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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
Verb
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The lead stretched to 12 before Brunson and the Knicks rallied again, cutting the lead down to five halfway through the quarter.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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What else is going on AI is cutting hours of office work for workers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Sandwich had to switch pitchers in the eighth inning, and Hamilton-Wenham responded by loading the bases with no outs.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
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The Mets put pressure on Vasquez by loading the bases with no outs.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
7 June 2026
Verb
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In conclusion, autonomous AI risks undermining the essential human spirit of science and weakening its role as an arbiter of social conflicts.—
Mohammad Hosseini,
Chicago Tribune,
4 June 2026
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Critics argue the measures risk worsening an already severe humanitarian crisis on the island without meaningfully weakening the government.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinning. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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