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

Other Word Forms

• diminishable adjective
• diminishment noun
• nondiminishing adjective
• prediminish verb (used with object)
• prediminishment noun
• undiminishable adjective
• undiminishableness noun
• undiminishably adverb
• undiminished adjective
• undiminishing adjective
• diminishingly adverb

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

"Reform does not diminish your work; it strengthens it. The American people are ready to believe in this agency again if we show them that integrity, accountability, and science guide every decision," Kennedy added.

From BBC

His already diminished fastball was playing down, averaging only 88 mph.

From Los Angeles Times

Milton worried that parents were listening to misinformation from anti-vaccine groups — including one founded by Kennedy — that diminished the need for vaccination by inaccurately claiming that vitamin A staved off the disease’s worst outcomes.

From Salon

Airstrikes, however, won’t be any more effective at degrading the cartels or diminishing the flow of drugs into the United States than ground operations would be.

From Los Angeles Times

To win a congressional majority next year, they might need to run the board in a diminishing number of genuine swing districts across the nation — perhaps 16 or so.

From Salon

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.