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

/ dɪˈmɪnɪʃ /

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

Derived Forms

• diˈminishingly, adverb
• diˈminishment, noun
• diˈminishable, adjective

Other Words From

• di·minish·a·ble adjective
• di·minish·ment noun
• nondi·minish·ing adjective
• predi·minish verb (used with object)
• predi·minish·ment noun
• undi·minish·a·ble adjective
• undi·minish·a·ble·ness noun
• undi·minish·a·bly adverb
• undi·minished adjective
• undi·minish·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diminish¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of diminish¹

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

Synonym Study

See decrease.

Example Sentences

I secretly loved how the flower craned skyward, never quick to diminish its presence, what I considered its sharp elegance.

From Los Angeles Times

The leaked recording revealed De León, two other council members and a labor leader plotting to manipulate redistricting to retain their power and diminish that of their perceived enemies.

From Los Angeles Times

Langer, a two-time Masters winner, had a five-shot lead heading into the back nine but back-to-back bogeys on the 10th and 11th saw his lead diminish.

From BBC

Asked about Trump’s threats to take aim at California, arguably the beating heart of anti-Trump resistance, Schiff vowed “to defend our state and our democracy and stand up to any efforts to punish California or withhold resources from California, or to diminish people’s rights and freedom.”

From Los Angeles Times

We’re not seeing enough yet from the governors in the swing states — Nevada, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia — to help diminish the risk of political violence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abate
• curtail
• decline
• decrease
• dwindle
• ebb
• lessen
• lower
• recede
• reduce
• shrink
• slacken
• subside
• temper
• wane
• weaken