diminish
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.
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Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
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Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
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to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
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(tr) architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper
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(tr) music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone
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to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate
Usage
What does diminish mean? To diminish is to become smaller, fewer, or less, as in If we don’t order more, our stock of supplies will slowly diminish until we run out completely.It can also mean to make smaller, fewer, or less, as in We need to diminish our reliance on fossil fuels. Close synonyms of these senses of diminish are reduce, decrease, and lessen.Diminish can also be used in less literal ways. It can mean to make something seem smaller or less significant, as in The senator tried to diminish his role in the scandal. The verb downplay is used in a similar way.To diminish a person is to reduce or take away from their stature, reputation, or authority in some way—to belittle or disparage them, as in The new tell-all book is clearly an attempt to diminish a man who is regarded as a legend in his field. Example: My interest in sports has diminished since I was a kid—I’m only a casual fan now.
Related Words
See decrease.
Other Word Forms
- diminishable adjective
- diminishingly adverb
- diminishment noun
- nondiminishing adjective
- prediminish verb (used with object)
- prediminishment noun
- undiminishable adjective
- undiminishableness noun
- undiminishably adverb
- undiminished adjective
- undiminishing adjective
Etymology
Origin of diminish
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; blend of diminuen (from Anglo-French diminuer, from Medieval Latin dīminuere, from Latin dēminuere “to make smaller”) and minishen minish
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Investors’ caution about yen appreciation could diminish if authorities remain sidelined against current yen weakness, or if concerns over fiscal expansion intensify,” Maruyama says in a note.
“If other parts of the room are diminished, we all are,” White House bureau chief Matt Viser wrote in a separate message.
The remaining acreage may end up being costlier to access and have diminishing returns.
From Barron's
There is also the risk of diminishing returns: as more platforms deploy similar tools, AI may become a baseline cost of doing business rather than a lasting differentiator.
From Barron's
Chinese shoppers are returning to luxury stores, but with less appetite to spend and in greatly diminished numbers.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
