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
If the state rules hold, an insurer using AI to price your annuity or your motor cover has to test that model for unfair effects and answer for it; if the rules fall, or freeze under federal pressure, that obligation thins out, and the model goes back to being a box only the insurer can see inside.
—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 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
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 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
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Alphabet went the other way and issued stock, which dilutes existing shareholders but adds no fixed interest bill to meet whether or not the AI bet pays off.
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Among other changes, the new law dilutes some of the influence the mayor of Chicago has over the executive appointment process at the CTA, which has been led for more than a year by an acting president, Nora Leerhsen.
Verb
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The duo then wheels the mower down the walkway and loads it onto their trailer before taking off.
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Beginning June 24, three certificates that cryptographically verify that each piece of firmware and software that loads during system boot will expire.
Verb
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When foreign investors pull money out of the country, demand for the rupiah drops, and the currency weakens.
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Every interaction either builds confidence or weakens it.
Verb
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Amid rising travel costs, Nguyen prioritizes travel in her budget and cuts expenses elsewhere.
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If the business stabilizes, cuts costs, sells an underperforming division, or improves capital allocation, the stock can re-rate quickly.
Verb
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Tomato Wilt Due To Root-Knot Nematodes Another pest that infects tomato plants below ground is the root-knot nematode.
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But even with federal legislation prohibiting discrimination, the pernicious virus of bias infects too many institutions.
Verb
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Unless the energy powering data centers comes from clean energy sources, such as solar, wind or geothermal, generating that electricity also pollutes the air.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Thins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thins. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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