dwindle
verb (used without object)
to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away.
dwindled
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past participleof dwindle.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof dwindle.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
dwindleverb (used without object)to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Over the past few sessions, trading volume has dwindled, while major indexes have mostly drifted sideways.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
The country’s diesel exports had already dwindled when the Kremlin banned exports in July to ensure there was enough fuel at home, particularly for the summer harvest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
As audiences turned to new forms of entertainment and public performance opportunities dwindled, many magicians found it harder to make a living from skills passed down through generations.
From BBC ● Oct. 2, 2026
With far less snowmelt than usual feeding the Colorado River, inflows dwindled, and the second-largest reservoir in the United States fell to record-low levels in late August and early September.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 23, 2026
Twenty-three watchmen were supposed to patrol the city’s streets every night, but their numbers had dwindled to a mere handful by the end of the week.
From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy
