as in reducing
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1
as in minimizing
to express scornfully one's low opinion of
tends to diminish any rival's accomplishments with snide remarks
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2
as in decreasing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
the state's blood supplies were severely diminished by the two consecutive disasters
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3
as in subsiding
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the sound of the train diminished as our distance from it increased
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of diminishing
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The diminishing results amplified his idiosyncrasies.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Azerbaijan in recent years has developed ties with Israel and the United States, with Iran's influence in the South Caucasus region diminishing.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
One plus from the offseason is that Brandon Nimmo’s bat has not shown the diminishing signs that Semien’s displayed the last two years.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
While tech giants pour billions into ever larger training runs, Hooker argues the approach is seeing diminishing returns.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The tech itself is also starting to show diminishing returns with each new model release.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet Trump’s attacks and distractions may be yielding diminishing returns beyond his base.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
The Hyperion Avenue store is a throwback to a time of individualized service in an era of big-box anonymity and diminishing expertise.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
The drumbeat for the diminishing prospects of the first-run syndication business has been growing louder over the past few years amid a shrinking marketplace.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
What’s more, his constant reassurance has the unfortunate effect of diminishing Carolyn into a fragile little thing in need of protection.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Many people already don’t take their prescribed statins, so diminishing the number eligible by as much as 40% was feared as a failure of prevention.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026
Congress is up against the clock to take any action, with the legislative calendar quickly diminishing before lawmakers squarely focus on campaigning back home.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
Facing the problem of rain diminishing the visibility of the paint, Botts developed ceramic markers that would rise above rain-slick pavement and still be visible.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
After a decade of dramatic growth, homelessness programs now face a period of diminishing resources.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Puerto Rico is missing Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance restrictions, considerably diminishing their firepower, but have solid pitching and the advantage of playing at home in their group stage.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
But its premise never evolves enough to let loose in ridiculous fashion, yielding diminishing returns.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
The diminishing results amplified his idiosyncrasies.
—Kansas City Star, 11 Mar. 2026
Azerbaijan in recent years has developed ties with Israel and the United States, with Iran's influence in the South Caucasus region diminishing.
—Arkansas Online, 6 Mar. 2026
One plus from the offseason is that Brandon Nimmo’s bat has not shown the diminishing signs that Semien’s displayed the last two years.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026
While tech giants pour billions into ever larger training runs, Hooker argues the approach is seeing diminishing returns.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026
The tech itself is also starting to show diminishing returns with each new model release.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Feb. 2026
Yet Trump’s attacks and distractions may be yielding diminishing returns beyond his base.
—Chris Smith, Vanity Fair, 29 Jan. 2026
The Hyperion Avenue store is a throwback to a time of individualized service in an era of big-box anonymity and diminishing expertise.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
Over time, your appliance builds up with minerals from hard water, such as calcium and magnesium, diminishing its ability to effectively clean your items.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 Mar. 2026
The drumbeat for the diminishing prospects of the first-run syndication business has been growing louder over the past few years amid a shrinking marketplace.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
What’s more, his constant reassurance has the unfortunate effect of diminishing Carolyn into a fragile little thing in need of protection.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Mar. 2026
Many people already don’t take their prescribed statins, so diminishing the number eligible by as much as 40% was feared as a failure of prevention.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Mar. 2026
Congress is up against the clock to take any action, with the legislative calendar quickly diminishing before lawmakers squarely focus on campaigning back home.
—Jared Gans, The Hill, 12 Mar. 2026
Facing the problem of rain diminishing the visibility of the paint, Botts developed ceramic markers that would rise above rain-slick pavement and still be visible.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 11 Mar. 2026
After a decade of dramatic growth, homelessness programs now face a period of diminishing resources.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Puerto Rico is missing Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa due to insurance restrictions, considerably diminishing their firepower, but have solid pitching and the advantage of playing at home in their group stage.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminishing
Noun
-
The long answer is that Estée Lauder’s Diamond Moisturizer is hydrating (as all moisturizers should be), firming, tightening, wrinkle-reducing, age spot-fading, and texture-smoothing.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Moisturizing, soothing, and redness reducing, Erborian’s CC Cream is the ultimate cult-favorite beauty product.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even the Spotted Stone bar gets in on the eco action, utilizing all ingredients and minimizing waste (lemon and lime skins are processed and used to make homemade syrups for cocktails, for example).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 Mar. 2026
-
The microbiome also benefits from aerobic exercise, reduced stress and consistent sleep, as well as minimizing antibiotics and even having a pet — especially a dog, Cryan says.—
Holly Haber,
Dallas Morning News,
20 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Later that month, a scan showed her tumors were decreasing in size.—
Janelle Ash , Larry Fink,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The understanding of safety features enables people to live their daily lives with assurance while decreasing their anxiety about arriving late or departing early.—
Daniel Fusch,
AZCentral.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.—
Philip Potempa,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
-
To make some, stir together equal parts flour, shortening, and vegetable oil, then brush this generously on the surface of the pan.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Haitian law also forbids dismissing workers for union activities.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Ferguson took 3-16, dismissing Linde to end the innings.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Haithcock said schools have been financially hamstrung since Act 10 – the Scott Walker-era landmark law in 2011 that curtailed union bargaining power and cut take-home pay for workers – especially amid declining student enrollment.—
Natalie Eilbert,
jsonline.com,
19 Mar. 2026
-
While an unconventional choice for the typically squeaky-clean Bachelor franchise, a soft-swinging TikTok influencer turned reality star at first sounded like the 180 the franchise desperately needed after years of declining ratings and a seemingly outdated format amid modern dating culture.—
Jodi Guglielmi,
Rolling Stone,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While appearing radical at the time, the revamping of scientific boards to include more industry representatives, the undoing of power plant rules and the lessening of enforcement hobbled but did not completely undo the agency.—
Barbara Kates-Garnick,
The Conversation,
26 Aug. 2025
-
The good news is that GPT-5 will presumably be somewhat less than gushingly friendly, though the lessening might be variable and of a mixed result.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Diminishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminishing. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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