DIMINISH Synonyms: 185 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'diminish' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of diminish are abate , decrease , dwindle , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When is 'abate' a more appropriate choice than 'diminish'?

In some situations, the words abate and diminish are roughly equivalent. However, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When would 'decrease' be a good substitute for 'diminish'?

While the synonyms decrease and diminish are close in meaning, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Q: Where would 'dwindle' be a reasonable alternative to 'diminish'?

The meanings of dwindle and diminish largely overlap; however, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

Q: In what contexts can 'lessen' take the place of 'diminish'?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminish , lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. // has been unable to lessen her debt

Q: When could 'reduce' be used to replace 'diminish'?

The synonyms reduce and diminish are sometimes interchangeable, but reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. // you must reduce your caloric intake

diminish

verb

də-ˈmi-nish

Definition of diminish next

as in to minimize

to express scornfully one's low opinion of tends to diminish any rival's accomplishments with snide remarks

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent the state's blood supplies were severely diminished by the two consecutive disasters

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to decrease

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the sound of the train diminished as our distance from it increased

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb diminish differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of diminish are abate, decrease, dwindle, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When is abate a more appropriate choice than diminish?

In some situations, the words abate and diminish are roughly equivalent. However, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When would decrease be a good substitute for diminish?

While the synonyms decrease and diminish are close in meaning, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Where would dwindle be a reasonable alternative to diminish?

The meanings of dwindle and diminish largely overlap; however, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

In what contexts can lessen take the place of diminish?

While in some cases nearly identical to diminish, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When could reduce be used to replace diminish?

The synonyms reduce and diminish are sometimes interchangeable, but reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of diminish This retinol face serum diminishes fine lines and wrinkles while repairing skin tone and texture. —

Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 The brand touts a quick treatment time of just 60 seconds, claiming that’s enough to reap the benefits of firmer, smoother, brighter-looking skin with fewer fine lines, diminished pores, and less visible acne scarring. —

Jenn Barthole, Glamour, 31 Oct. 2024 Three years later, the New York Times, with CBS, released the nation’s first media-run poll, at once diminishing the role of man-on-the-street reporting and abandoning the long-standing reluctance of news organizations to conduct polls. —

Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 Federal dollar windfalls lead to higher executive pay and other bloated spending, diminishing hospitals’ financial agility. —

Ge Bai, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diminish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminish

Verb

Be sure your plan considers ways to minimize family income taxes over time.

Bob Carlson, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Washing a potato before cooking is one way to minimize any risks.

Lauren David, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2024