as in dilutes
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 thins
Take it to semiannual and quoting their shares becomes guesswork; spreads widen, depth thins, and some market makers simply step away.
—
Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Instead a galaxy’s distribution of stars thins out farther from the center.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Refilling the rotation thins out the bullpen, which usually has to cover more innings after lesser starters, and all of those daily workload decisions compound.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 20 May 2026
In a traditional Japanese handle, a wa-style handle, the tang thins out into a strip of metal that’s completely buried in a cylindrical or octagonal wood handle.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
Steam thins mucus and eases congestion, per the same PMC/NIH trial.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Over time, the canopy thins, the leaves crinkle, and the tree slowly dies.
—Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
When pothos stems become too long, the plant thins out.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.
—New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Instead a galaxy’s distribution of stars thins out farther from the center.
—Phil Plait, Scientific American, 29 May 2026
Refilling the rotation thins out the bullpen, which usually has to cover more innings after lesser starters, and all of those daily workload decisions compound.
—Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 20 May 2026
In a traditional Japanese handle, a wa-style handle, the tang thins out into a strip of metal that’s completely buried in a cylindrical or octagonal wood handle.
—Jesse Raub, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 May 2026
Steam thins mucus and eases congestion, per the same PMC/NIH trial.
—Allison Palmer, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Over time, the canopy thins, the leaves crinkle, and the tree slowly dies.
—Jacob Wycoff, CBS News, 17 Apr. 2026
When pothos stems become too long, the plant thins out.
—Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 14 Apr. 2026
From there, Sharrow thins down its propeller to precise specification with a five-axis CNC machine and polishes it.
—New Atlas, 10 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thins
Verb
-
As such, Friedkin’s film has taken on a social-history aspect that dilutes its toxicity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
-
Cynical congressional map dilutes Black voting power to target a kingmaker.—
Kathleen Parker,
Washington Post,
15 May 2026
Verb
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Their body care kit gets to the root of smooth skin with a trio of products including a pre-sluff bar that rids it of lotions and oils, a washable textured mitt that sloughs off dead cells and a eucalyptus-scented body lotion that loads it with hydration while making your bathroom smell like a spa.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
1 June 2026
-
Utilities need confidence that loads requesting hundreds of megawatts of capacity will actually materialize and remain economically viable.—
Anna Broughel,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
Verb
-
Breakage occurs when damage to the hair shaft weakens it, causing strands to snap off.—
Conçetta Ciarlo,
Vogue,
8 June 2026
-
Technology was partly to blame for creating an environment which magnifies prejudices and weakens critical thinking, Leo said.—
Joshua McElwee,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Verb
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Patrick Stewart, leader of the city’s library foundation, said Friday that cuts to libraries dramatically affect neighborhoods partly because libraries host so many cultural events.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 June 2026
-
Full-back Max Arfsten drifts into the space that Pulisic has just vacated, while Tim Ream cuts inside and finds him with a direct pass, providing the platform for a quick attack.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Verb
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Powdery mildew fungi are host-specific, meaning each fungal species only infects specific plant species.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 May 2026
-
Orthoebolaviruses are also known to cause hemorrhagic fever, in which the virus infects specific immune cells, triggering a massive inflammatory response that can lead to internal bleeding and organ failure.—
Claire Maldarelli,
Scientific American,
22 May 2026
Verb
-
Meanwhile, the unceasing churn of clothing, footwear and accessories depletes soils, poisons the water, pollutes the air, drives deforestation, accelerates biodiversity loss and generates runaway planet-warming emissions that undermine brands’ lofty environmental ambitions.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
1 May 2026
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Runoff pollutes water used to irrigate crops and provide water for livestock.—
Abraham Nunbogu,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Thins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thins. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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