dwindle
verb (used without object)
to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away.
had dwindled
-
past perfectof dwindle.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.
But by Monday, hope of finding the Sacramento Valley man alive had dwindled, Almos said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026
That number had dwindled to about 800,000 on Monday morning.
From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026
By that point, the number of workers who remained out on the picket line had dwindled to 28 from the original 120 who walked out at the beginning of the strike.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 7, 2026
In 1931 he was asked by Britain's poultry club to help preserve the breed, whose numbers had dwindled due to changing tastes.
From BBC ● Dec. 24, 2025
Neel’s voice had dwindled almost to a mumble as he’d read the letter aloud.
From "Tiger Boy" by Mitali Perkins
