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diminish
[ dih-min-ish ]
verb (used with object)
- to make or cause to seem smaller, less, less important, etc.; lessen; reduce.
- Architecture. to give (a column) a form tapering inward from bottom to top.
- Music. to make (an interval) smaller by a chromatic half step than the corresponding perfect or minor interval.
- to detract from the authority, honor, stature, or reputation of; disparage.
verb (used without object)
- to lessen; decrease.
diminish
/ ɪˈɪɪʃ /
verb
- to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
- tr architect to cause (a column, etc) to taper
- tr music to decrease (a minor or perfect interval) by a semitone
- to belittle or be belittled; reduce in authority, status, etc; depreciate
Derived Forms
- 徱ˈԾԲ, adverb
- 徱ˈԾԳ, noun
- 徱ˈԾ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- 徱·i·· adjective
- 徱·i·Գ noun
- ԴDzd·i·Բ adjective
- d·i verb (used with object)
- pre徱·i·Գ noun
- un徱·i·· adjective
- un徱·i···ness noun
- ܲd·i·· adverb
- ܲd·i adjective
- ܲd·i·Բ adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of diminish1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
The Liberals are most likely to find willing partners with the diminished left-wing New Democrats, who have in the past supported the Liberals, and the Bloc Québécois.
He added that Mr Mears had killed Catherine Flynn "brutally", but said they would endeavour to prove that the defence of diminished responsibility applies.
The Lakers played two games in Minnesota, one with a diminished Doncic and one without making a substitution in the second half, and had the same result.
Referring to diminishing of protections for minorities, women, the LGBTQ+ community and others, Harris alluded to such concerns as central themes of her 2024 presidential campaign.
After the trucks first arrived in January, there was a strong “burnt rubber” smell that eventually diminished but is still bothersome, she said.
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Related Words
More About Diminish
doesdiminish 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 doesdiminish 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 ŧԳܱ, “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 ... ?
are some other forms related to diminish?
- diminished (past tense verb, adjective)
- diminishing (continuous tense verb, adjective)
- diminishment (noun)
- diminishable (adjective)
are some synonyms for diminish?
are some words that share a root or word element with diminish?
are some words that often get used in discussing diminish?
How isdiminish 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.
— Tim Studebaker ABC6 (@TStudebakerABC6)
You have the power within yourself to make anything possible, you must diminish the doubt & ignite the self belief.
— KeepTheFaith EP Out Now (@OskidoIBelieve)
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)
Try usingdiminish!
Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of diminish?
A. lessen
B . shrink
C. decrease
D. enlarge
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