diminished

British  

/ dɪˈmɪnɪʃt /

adjective

1. reduced or lessened; made smaller

2. music denoting any minor or perfect interval reduced by a semitone

3. music denoting a triad consisting of the root plus a minor third and a diminished fifth

4. music (postpositive) (esp in jazz or pop music) denoting a diminished seventh chord having as its root the note specified

   B diminished

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Explanation

If you drive through a tunnel, you’ll notice that your cell phone reception is diminished. When something is diminished, it’s been weakened or lessened. Diminished is an adjective used when something has lost its power, prestige, or worth. The value of a car, for instance, is diminished over time by wear and tear. In some instances, diminished means "belittled," or made to seem like less in the face of something perceived as better or greater. The popularity of a laptop, for instance, will be diminished if a cheaper, more powerful model is released. Leaders and politicians who get involved in scandals often suffer diminished reputations.

Example Sentences

Women who remain attached preserve the economic trajectory of a two-income family that compounds long after child-care costs have diminished.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

The decision was likely made to ensure the trade value of the two-time most valuable player wasn’t diminished by another injury.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

"What was supposed to be a moment of celebration was diminished and overshadowed," the organisation said.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

State Street said that as oil prices slide, worries about Fed rate hikes have diminished.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

You’ve begun to notice, though, that, bit by bit the sense of being outside of yourself has diminished with each passing day.

From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman

Related Words

• barred
• blocked
• closed
• confined
• controlled
• defined
• deprived
• prescribed
• reduced
• restrained
• secured
• shortened
• tethered