diminish
verb (used with object)
to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.
had diminished
-
past perfectof diminish.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
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.
The vast majority judged that labor-market conditions had shown signs of stabilization and that downside risks to employment had diminished.
From Barron's ● Mar. 27, 2026
By 6 p.m. the smoke had diminished, but orders remained in place “out of an abundance of caution,” Navarre said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2026
The market reaction suggested that investor concern had diminished in the nearly two weeks since Blackstone BX -1.09%decrease; red down pointing triangle reported earnings and private-credit fears weighed on its shares.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
Two weeks before the attack, the author had told a German magazine that he was living a "relatively normal" life as the threats had diminished.
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2025
His toe was now a deep and angry aqua, but the anger and much of the pain had diminished.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
