diminish

[dih-min-ish]

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.

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

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

verb (used without object)

1. to lessen; decrease.

diminish

/ dɪˈmɪnɪʃ /

verb

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

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

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

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

Other Word Forms

• diminishingly adverb
• diminishment noun
• diminishable adjective
• nondiminishing adjective
• prediminish verb (used with object)
• prediminishment noun
• undiminishable adjective
• undiminishableness noun
• undiminishably adverb
• undiminished adjective
• undiminishing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diminish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of diminish¹

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

Synonym Study

See decrease.

Example Sentences

Some members of the Catholic community welcomed the introduction of the new wine, expressing concern that the old was being sold casually in shops like any ordinary drink, diminishing its sacred significance.

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In any case, we’ll wear her warnings about our efforts to diminish corporate influence in politics as a badge of honor—especially since corporate America’s defenders doubt their commitment to the rule of law.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

More broadly, the furor in Azerbaijan over the crash laid bare Russia’s diminished influence in swaths of its former empire and beyond in the wake of its war in Ukraine.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the same time, most Fed officials said the risks to “inflation had either diminished or not increased,” minutes of the Sept. 16-17 meeting showed.

Read more on MarketWatch

Throughout the museum, scholarship was diminished and subtleties disappeared.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• abate 
• curtail 
• decline 
• decrease 
• dwindle 
• ebb 
• lessen 
• lower 
• recede 
• reduce 
• shrink 
• slacken 
• subside 
• temper 
• wane 
• weaken 

When To Use

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.