dwindle

[dwin-dl]

verb (used without object)

dwindled, dwindling 

1. to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away.

   His vast fortune has dwindled away.

   Synonyms: wane, lessen, decline, diminish
   Antonyms: increase

2. to fall away, as in quality; degenerate.

verb (used with object)

dwindled, dwindling 

1. to make smaller and smaller; cause to shrink.

   Failing health dwindles ambition.

   Synonyms: lessen
   Antonyms: magnify

dwindle

/ ˈdwɪndəl /

verb

1. to grow or cause to grow less in size, intensity, or number; diminish or shrink gradually

Other Word Forms

• undwindling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwindle¹

1590–1600; dwine (now dial.) to waste away ( Middle English; Old English dwīnan; cognate with Middle Dutch dwīnen to languish, Old Norse dvīna to pine away) + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwindle¹

C16: from Old English dwīnan to waste away; related to Old Norse dvīna to pine away

Synonym Study

See decrease.

Example Sentences

Despite California’s repeated attempts to revitalize the industry, the number of biomass plants continued to dwindle.

From Los Angeles Times

In that time, the number of arrests has dwindled as the size of the demonstration has shrunk.

From Salon

Without Stokes, chances of returning with the urn dwindle to almost nothing.

From BBC

Behind inconsistent offense and unreliable bullpen pitching, a big division lead dwindled.

From Los Angeles Times

However, when the group's numbers dwindled they gave up on demanding money.

From BBC

Related Words

• abate 
• decay 
• decline 
• decrease 
• die down 
• diminish 
• drop 
• ebb 
• fade 
• fall 
• lessen 
• peter out 
• shrink 
• shrivel 
• sink 
• subside 
• wane 
• weaken 
• wither