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

“It’ll hurt students who could thrive in an environment like that” if rigor is diminished, she said.

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

The way Pelosi sees it, that time-consuming primary would have been worth the hassle, as the process could have diminished the perception that Harris was an extension of the Biden administration.

From Salon

“We thought, ‘This is a game of diminishing returns and we will be playing grannies.’

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

More About Diminish

What does diminish 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 does diminish 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 dēminuere, “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.

Did you know ... ?

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?

• reduce
• decrease
• lessen
• decline
• dwindle
• shrink
• wane
• downplay
• belittle
• disparage

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

• minish
• diminishing returns
• diminished responsibility
• diminutive

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

• returns
• quality
• supplies
• detract
• reputation

How is diminish 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).

Still some wind gusts this early evening, but winds will diminish later tonight. Join me at 6pm for a look ahead at what you can expect for the first work week of 2021. pic.twitter.com/hHeKqDBs2J

— Tim Studebaker ABC6 (@TStudebakerABC6) January 2, 2021

You have the power within yourself to make anything possible, you must diminish the doubt & ignite the self belief.

— KeepTheFaith EP Out Now (@OskidoIBelieve) May 14, 2019

I don’t have to diminish you in order to shine. And I don’t have to render you powerless in order to be powerful.

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) January 24, 2019

 

Try using diminish!

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

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