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
Barnes’ defection further thins a group of linebackers that is losing three key contributors from 2025 in Trey Moore, Liona Lefau and Anthony Hill Jr.
—
David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
Another prospect is that not all of the cuts materialize — say, the trash fee repeal doesn’t happen — or the field of tax increases thins out, making those that remain more palatable to voters.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Near-term oversight is likely to fall to Abel with support from Ted Weschler, one of Berkshire's remaining investment managers, but that structure could face scrutiny if the investment bench thins further, according to CFRA's Cathy Seifert.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
The key though is to make sure the chili simmers for at least 10 minutes before serving so all the flavors meld and the consistency thins out just a touch.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
Initiative petition campaigns had about two months under state law to gather at least 74,574 signatures and submit them at the local level by Wednesday for certification — a checkpoint that historically thins the field.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
Staying hydrated thins mucus naturally, and sleeping with your head slightly elevated encourages drainage.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Ice plains can prompt fast retreat because as the glacier thins, the ice starts to rise up and water pushes underneath into its crevasses, exerting pressure and causing large slabs to break off — in a process called calving.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
David Eckert, Austin American Statesman, 7 Jan. 2026
Another prospect is that not all of the cuts materialize — say, the trash fee repeal doesn’t happen — or the field of tax increases thins out, making those that remain more palatable to voters.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Near-term oversight is likely to fall to Abel with support from Ted Weschler, one of Berkshire's remaining investment managers, but that structure could face scrutiny if the investment bench thins further, according to CFRA's Cathy Seifert.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
Pruning also thins nonproductive stems, allowing light to reach the interior of the tree and ripen the fruit.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2025
The key though is to make sure the chili simmers for at least 10 minutes before serving so all the flavors meld and the consistency thins out just a touch.
—Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2025
Initiative petition campaigns had about two months under state law to gather at least 74,574 signatures and submit them at the local level by Wednesday for certification — a checkpoint that historically thins the field.
—State House News Service, Boston Herald, 24 Nov. 2025
Staying hydrated thins mucus naturally, and sleeping with your head slightly elevated encourages drainage.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Nov. 2025
Ice plains can prompt fast retreat because as the glacier thins, the ice starts to rise up and water pushes underneath into its crevasses, exerting pressure and causing large slabs to break off — in a process called calving.
—Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for thins
Verb
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Democrats have pointed to these facts as evidence that the map dilutes the voting power of minorities and may even be an intentional racial gerrymander.—
Marissa Meador,
IndyStar,
8 Dec. 2025
-
The decision notably makes no ruling on the constitutionality of the redistricting, leaving the question unresolved as to whether the new map unfairly dilutes the power of Black and Latino voters.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The thieves check the balance when a customer purchases a card and loads funds onto it, then drain the card of funds before the customer can use it, officials said.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Dec. 2025
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As its average shopper loads up on 15 items per basket, the company is betting a growing share of those items will be alcohol-free.—
Brandon Gomez,
CNBC,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In September, cuts to subsea cables in the Red Sea caused disruptions to Microsoft's Azure cloud service.—
Magdalena Petrova,
CNBC,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Together with fellow oligarch Gennadiy Bogolyubov, who cuts a comparatively lower profile, Kolomoisky amassed a sizable portfolio.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Her son, Jett James East, had respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly contagious virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 Jan. 2026
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Contrary to its original name, the virus mostly infects rodents and occasionally crossed over into humans.—
Patrick Jackson,
The Conversation,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But to isolate gold, galamsey workers typically use poisonous mercury, which pollutes drinking water and farmland and has been linked to serious illness and birth defects.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
15 Oct. 2025
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Debris pollutes waterways, cooking fires may spread, and the District Attorney’s Office has repeatedly documented how homeless residents are more likely to be victims of crime.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Thins.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/thins. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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