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
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
-
The potential pitfall of that is diluting Walker’s effectiveness at his primary position.—
Josh Kendall,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
-
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
-
This time, defender Willi Orban blocks the striker from cutting inside and shows him onto his left, but Gyokeres is still able to finish confidently on his weaker side at the near post, just seven seconds after his team-mate regained possession inside their own half.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
-
Airlines cutting revenue projections Sales and discounts on travel can indicate people have less discretionary income to spend on vacations or other experiences, Court said.—
Corina Vanek,
AZCentral.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
-
To address this workflow conundrum, Maono has developed the P Series, which directly addresses this shift towards hybrid workflows and connectivity, where equipment needs to be streamlined for multi-device creation without loading on the technical complexity.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
-
Of course, Macy is not actually spending late nights at the distillery twisting knobs and loading the wash into fermenters.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
14 June 2026
Verb
-
Yet the extremist group has mobilized its members and media outlets to ramp up criticism of the agreement, heaping pressure on Iranian negotiators who have been attempting to extract concessions from a US administration intent on weakening – and possibly ending – the Islamic Republic.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
After reaching record levels in the 1990s and 2000s, deforestation declined until the 2019-2022 term of then President Jair Bolsonaro, whose government was widely criticized for weakening environmental protections.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinning. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
