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

When these run out, wind and solar will struggle to fill their place thanks to the high cost of natural materials, which will grow more dear as their supplies also dwindle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The move is also a sign of how Macron’s options have dwindled as he seeks a government capable of surviving a no-confidence vote and passing a budget that narrows the country’s gaping deficit.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The American family reeled as children dwindled into crouched obsessives, scrolling and snapping and cultivating likes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

As the oil reserves dwindle, there are fewer places to look for viable alternatives amid rising costs and a lack of tools.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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