diminish

[ dih-min-ish ]
See synonyms for diminish on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.

  2. Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.

  1. Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.

  2. to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.

verb (used without object)
  1. to lessen; decrease.

Origin of diminish

1
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

synonym study For diminish

5. See decrease.

Other words from diminish

  • di·min·ish·a·ble, adjective
  • di·min·ish·ment, noun
  • non·di·min·ish·ing, adjective
  • pre·di·min·ish, verb (used with object)
  • pre·di·min·ish·ment, noun
  • un·di·min·ish·a·ble, adjective
  • un·di·min·ish·a·ble·ness, noun
  • un·di·min·ish·a·bly, adverb
  • un·di·min·ished, adjective
  • un·di·min·ish·ing, adjective

Words Nearby diminish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use diminish in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diminish

diminish

/ (dɪˈmɪnɪʃ) /


verb
  1. to make or become smaller, fewer, or less

  2. (tr) architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper

  1. (tr) music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone

  2. to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate

Origin of diminish

1
C15: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin dēminuere to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessen

Derived forms of diminish

  • diminishable, adjective
  • diminishingly, adverb
  • diminishment, noun

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