DWINDLE Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of dwindle are abate , decrease , diminish , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

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

While the synonyms abate and dwindle are close in meaning, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When could 'decrease' be used to replace 'dwindle'?

Although the words decrease and dwindle have much in common, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

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

The synonyms diminish and dwindle are sometimes interchangeable, but diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When can 'lessen' be used instead of 'dwindle'?

In some situations, the words lessen and dwindle are roughly equivalent. However, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. // has been unable to lessen her debt

Q: When might 'reduce' be a better fit than 'dwindle'?

The words reduce and dwindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. // you must reduce your caloric intake

dwindle

verb

ˈdwin-dᵊl

Definition of dwindle next

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent the long winter dwindled our supply of firewood to practically nothing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually our hopes dwindled as the reports of more casualties came in

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the verb dwindle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dwindle are abate, decrease, diminish, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Where would abate be a reasonable alternative to dwindle?

While the synonyms abate and dwindle are close in meaning, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could decrease be used to replace dwindle?

Although the words decrease and dwindle have much in common, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When is diminish a more appropriate choice than dwindle?

The synonyms diminish and dwindle are sometimes interchangeable, but diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can lessen be used instead of dwindle?

In some situations, the words lessen and dwindle are roughly equivalent. However, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than dwindle?

The words reduce and dwindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example 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 dwindle There could also be a drop in revenue from the shopping bag tax hike because the increase could change consumer behavior, while the budget’s liquor tax changes actually dwindle the effective rate, Guzman said. —

Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026 As his health dwindled, Proust took a particular interest in the case of an Irish revolutionary that aroused much public sympathy in France and elsewhere during the War of Independence. —

Literary Hub, 2 Feb. 2026 But the Hawks had an abundance of wings and Krejci’s minutes had begun to dwindle. —

Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 1 Feb. 2026 Robeson’s annual income dwindled to almost nothing. —

Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dwindle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindle

Verb

Both coffee and tea contain bioactive ingredients such as polyphenols and caffeine, which may reduce inflammation and cellular damage while defending against cognitive decline.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026
Snowmaking specialist TechnoAlpin, which is supplying this year’s Winter Olympics, said technology has advanced significantly over recent decades, reducing energy demand and water consumption.

— Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

Definition of reduce

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“Dwindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindle. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of dwindle

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