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View synonyms for

diminish

[ dih-min-ish ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.
  2. Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
  3. Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
  4. to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.


verb (used without object)

  1. to lessen; decrease.

diminish

/ ɪˈɪɪʃ /

verb

  1. to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
  2. tr architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper
  3. tr music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone
  4. to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • 徱ˈԾ󾱲Բ, adverb
  • 徱ˈԾ󳾱Գ, noun
  • 徱ˈԾ󲹲, adjective
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Other yvlog Forms

  • 徱·i·· adjective
  • 徱·i·Գ noun
  • ԴDzd·i·Բ adjective
  • d·i verb (used with object)
  • pre徱·i·Գ noun
  • un徱·i·· adjective
  • un徱·i···ness noun
  • ܲd·i·· adverb
  • ܲd·i adjective
  • ܲd·i·Բ adjective
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of diminish1

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; blend of diminuen (from Anglo-French diminuer, from Medieval Latin īԳܱ, from Latin ŧԳܱ “to make smaller”) and minishen minish
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of diminish1

C15: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin ŧԳܱ to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessen
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Since she took the helm in early March, the workforce of the Education Department has been slashed in half, nearly eliminating the research unit and sharply diminishing the civil rights division.

From

So the US reliance on China for trade has diminished over the past decade.

From

But that threat seems to have diminished for now, the funding perhaps more theoretical than real.

From

Such a move would make American exports more affordable to foreign markets and diminish the value of China's large reserves of US currency.

From

But the war has diminished the group's domestic position too.

From

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More About Diminish

What doesdiminish mean?

To diminish is to become smaller, fewer, or less, as in If we don’t order more, our stock of supplies will slowly diminish until we run out completely.

It can also mean to make smaller, fewer, or less, as in We need to diminish our reliance on fossil fuels. Close synonyms of these senses of diminish are reduce, decrease, and lessen.

Diminish can also be used in less literal ways. It can mean to make something seem smaller or less significant, as in The senator tried to diminish his role in the scandal. The verb downplay is used in a similar way.

To diminish a person is to reduce or take away from their stature, reputation, or authority in some way—to belittle or disparage them, as in The new tell-all book is clearly an attempt to diminish a man who is regarded as a legend in his field.

Example: My interest in sports has diminished since I was a kid—I’m only a casual fan now.

Where doesdiminish come from?

The first records of the word diminish come from the 1400s. It comes from a blend of the Anglo-French-derived term diminuen, meaning “to lessen” (from Latin verb ŧԳܱ, “to make smaller”), and the archaic word minish, which means the same thing as diminish.

A common use of diminish is in the phrase diminishing returns, which is used in the context of economics, business, and other fields to refer to a reduction in the desired result (the “return”) of some action, such as profit, productivity, or some other benefit. The law of diminishing returns is a model, developed by economist David Ricardo, stating that as more effort or money is invested into a venture, the less returns one is likely to get over time. The concept can be applied to many fields.

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What are some other forms related to diminish?

  • diminished (past tense verb, adjective)
  • diminishing (continuous tense verb, adjective)
  • diminishment (noun)
  • diminishable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for diminish?

What are some words that share a root or word element with diminish?

What are some words that often get used in discussing diminish?

How isdiminish used in real life?

Diminish can be used in all kinds of contexts, including those involving both tangible things (like supplies) and intangible ones (like quality or reputation).

Try usingdiminish!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of diminish?

A. lessen
B . shrink
C. decrease
D. enlarge

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