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
Restoration crews are expected to begin thinning overgrown vegetation and restoring native trees ahead of wildfire season this spring and summer.
—
Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Focus on thinning branches, removing dead wood, and shaping the tree to allow more light and air inside.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 May 2026
The conflict in the Middle East has forced the US to divert some of its most critical military assets away from Asia, thinning its deterrence posture in a region where China is increasingly asserting its power and maintains ambitions toward Taiwan.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
The American Hair Loss Association says two-thirds of American men will experience hair thinning by their mid-30s, and 85% will experience significant hair loss by 50.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
For hobbyists who love filling every inch of a bed, thinning seedlings can feel ruthless.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
One possible side effect of taking GLP-1 drugs is hair thinning.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
By thinning crowded seedlings, giving roots room to grow, and easing plants gradually into outdoor conditions, gardeners can help reduce stress and build resilience.
—Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
But my longtime pals, baby boomers all, are thinning out.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 May 2026
Focus on thinning branches, removing dead wood, and shaping the tree to allow more light and air inside.
—Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 3 May 2026
The conflict in the Middle East has forced the US to divert some of its most critical military assets away from Asia, thinning its deterrence posture in a region where China is increasingly asserting its power and maintains ambitions toward Taiwan.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 2 May 2026
The American Hair Loss Association says two-thirds of American men will experience hair thinning by their mid-30s, and 85% will experience significant hair loss by 50.
—Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026
For hobbyists who love filling every inch of a bed, thinning seedlings can feel ruthless.
—Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
One possible side effect of taking GLP-1 drugs is hair thinning.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 28 Apr. 2026
By thinning crowded seedlings, giving roots room to grow, and easing plants gradually into outdoor conditions, gardeners can help reduce stress and build resilience.
—Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
But my longtime pals, baby boomers all, are thinning out.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thinning
Verb
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Deter bees from soaking up the nectar by diluting the blend, mixing it with more water than sugar.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
15 Apr. 2026
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What’s more, the suit alleges that management and company affiliates enriched themselves — through operating fees, development fees, property-management and leasing fees, reimbursements and insider-favoring transactions — while diluting investor equity.—
Jennifer Van Grove,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The back-to-back debates offered plenty of cutting moments as Mayor Karen Bass, Councilmember Nithya Raman and reality television star Spencer Pratt faced off against each other.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
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Porter focused on cutting bureaucracy, calling for a single statewide development permit to streamline approvals and reduce delays.—
Noe Padilla,
USA Today,
9 May 2026
Verb
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The Rays had a prime chance to at least get even in the sixth, getting two on with one out and loading the bases with two, but failed to score.—
Marc Topkin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 May 2026
-
The Diamondbacks had a chance to get back in the game in the seventh, loading the bases with two down.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
3 May 2026
Verb
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Dunn said Black domestic workers were often forced to work longer on election days by their white families, weakening their chances of casting a ballot.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 May 2026
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If next week’s jobs report shows a still resilient labor market, that could relieve investors wary of a weakening economic outlook.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
1 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinning. Accessed 10 May. 2026.
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