diminished
Britishadjective
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reduced or lessened; made smaller
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music denoting any minor or perfect interval reduced by a semitone
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music denoting a triad consisting of the root plus a minor third and a diminished fifth
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music (postpositive) (esp in jazz or pop music) denoting a diminished seventh chord having as its root the note specified
B diminished
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.
Vocabulary lists containing diminished
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
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The City of Ember
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Music - Middle School
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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.
Older adults and people with disabilities face unique challenges making and maintaining strong social connections, including diminished mobility, limited access to transportation, and often, the loss of a loved one or caretaker, Murphy said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 19, 2026
I expected to see many Chávez murals on Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, with at least some of them gone or diminished.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026
This diminished the 'flat-out' nature of qualifying and led to bitter criticisms from some drivers.
From BBC • Jun. 10, 2026
In a cyber age where most consumers get their news from social media and watch YouTube channels on their TVs instead of cable, the peak influence of broadcasters like CBS has long been diminished.
From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026
Although that sort of thing usually ran its course and diminished over time, it was not the case when it came to the gleaning of Kohl Whitlock.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
