diminish

[dih-min-ish] / dɪˈmɪn ɪʃ /

VERB

become or cause to be less

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

STRONG

abbreviate attenuate close contract cut depreciate drain extenuate minify moderate retrench shrivel taper

WEAK

become smaller die out fade away peter out

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase prolong raise rise strengthen

STRONG

amplify lengthen

WEAK

compliment flatter praise

VERB

belittle

Synonyms

STRONGEST

detract from minimize

STRONG

abuse cheapen decry demean depreciate derogate devalue pan

WEAK

bad-mouth cut down to size dispraise dump on give comeuppance knock off high horse poormouth put away put down run down tear down

Antonyms

STRONG

approve commend compliment enhance exalt increase laud praise raise upgrade

WEAK

develop enlarge expand extend flatter grow lengthen prolong

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Secondly, you stack up more technical fouls and diminish your superstar reputation.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

The software sector in general has been weighed down by fears that AI will diminish the need for traditional software.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 26, 2026

“The farmworker movement has always been bigger and far more important than any one individual. Cesar’s actions do not diminish the permanent improvements achieved for farmworkers with the help of thousands of people,” she said.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

E-noses could be used to diminish that output.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

Another widespread misconception is that numbers depersonalize or somehow diminish individuality.

From "Innumeracy: Mathematical Illiteracy and Its Consequences" by John Allen Paulos

diminish

Example Sentences

Related Words