dwindle

[ dwin-dl ]

verb (used without object)

, dwin·dled, dwin·dling.

1. to become smaller and smaller; shrink; waste away:

   His vast fortune has dwindled away.

   Synonyms: wane, lessen, decline, diminish

   Antonyms: increase

2. to fall away, as in quality; degenerate.

verb (used with object)

, dwin·dled, dwin·dling.

1. to make smaller and smaller; cause to shrink:

   Failing health dwindles ambition.

   Synonyms: lessen

   Antonyms: magnify

dwindle

/ ˈdwɪndəl /

verb

1. to grow or cause to grow less in size, intensity, or number; diminish or shrink gradually

Other Words From

• un·dwindling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwindle¹

1590–1600; dwine (now dial.) to waste away ( Middle English; Old English dwīnan; cognate with Middle Dutch dwīnen to languish, Old Norse dvīna to pine away) + -le

Word History and Origins

Origin of dwindle¹

C16: from Old English dwīnan to waste away; related to Old Norse dvīna to pine away

Synonym Study

See decrease.

Example Sentences

Is it any wonder that as labor union membership plummeted, wealth inequality expanded, health care access dwindled, and paychecks stagnated?

From Salon

Since Trump's last term in office, moderate voices around both leaders have dwindled.

From BBC

When Berry suffered a brain aneurysm and left the band, burned out and artistically spent, in 1997, R.E.M. carried on as a trio, but its sales dwindled and so did its zeitgeist-y buzz.

From Los Angeles Times

The Clippers saw their 70-52 halftime lead dwindle to just two points entering the fourth quarter.

From Los Angeles Times

“Once you get deeper in, it’s basically as if you’ve got a battery. Your battery starts to dwindle so those trips at the end really zap you,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abate
• decay
• decline
• decrease
• die down
• diminish
• drop
• ebb
• fade
• fall
• lessen
• peter out
• shrink
• shrivel
• sink
• subside
• wane
• weaken
• wither