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
But my longtime pals, baby boomers all, are thinning out.
—
David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
It is treated with beta blockers and blood-thinning medicine to reduce risks of clots and other flareups.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Players love to kid Odor — the second baseman with 31 home runs and a memorable punch to Jose Bautista’s jaw — about his prematurely thinning hair.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
At the Las Vegas convention, both Cruise, 63, and the Birdman director, 62, were present to share the teaser, which showed an older Cruise with white, thinning hair and wrinkles, thanks to some prosthetics, old-age makeup and a hairpiece.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
In the courtroom, Alfortish’s face looked gaunt after spending roughly a year in prison, and his hair, thinning now, had gone white.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Ship-tracking data showed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz thinning hours before the blockade began.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
One standout product included in Amazon's sale is the brand's Flourish Shampoo, specifically designed for thinning hair.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
On Placerville's outskirts, state and local agencies are already thinning out the dense underbrush as another layer of protection.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026
David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
It is treated with beta blockers and blood-thinning medicine to reduce risks of clots and other flareups.
—Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
Players love to kid Odor — the second baseman with 31 home runs and a memorable punch to Jose Bautista’s jaw — about his prematurely thinning hair.
—Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 21 Apr. 2026
At the Las Vegas convention, both Cruise, 63, and the Birdman director, 62, were present to share the teaser, which showed an older Cruise with white, thinning hair and wrinkles, thanks to some prosthetics, old-age makeup and a hairpiece.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
In the courtroom, Alfortish’s face looked gaunt after spending roughly a year in prison, and his hair, thinning now, had gone white.
—Patrick Radden Keefe, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026
Ship-tracking data showed traffic through the Strait of Hormuz thinning hours before the blockade began.
—Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
One standout product included in Amazon's sale is the brand's Flourish Shampoo, specifically designed for thinning hair.
—Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026
On Placerville's outskirts, state and local agencies are already thinning out the dense underbrush as another layer of protection.
—Lauren Sommer, NPR, 10 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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Vesia surrendered a two-run triple to Swanson and an RBI single to Nico Hoerner, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
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Part of that includes 'cutting the pond' using machinery to dig through the sand and allow water to flow in and out.—
Jacob Wycoff,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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King clipped Ramón Urías with a slider, loading the bases.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
19 Apr. 2026
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The Rays had a chance for a potential big inning earlier in the game, loading the bases with two outs in the third.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The impact of those exits could turn out to be the most lasting, potentially weakening the Justice Department for many years to come, several former longterm DOJ lawyers who worked across areas told USA TODAY.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
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Moisture can lead to weakening the tree or shrub's protective layer and create an environment for fungal growth, rot, or disease, says Putnam.—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thinning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thinning. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
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