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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
Other 51Թ Forms
- diminishable adjective
- diminishment noun
- nondiminishing adjective
- prediminish verb (used with object)
- prediminishment noun
- undiminishable adjective
- undiminishableness noun
- undiminishably adverb
- undiminished adjective
- undiminishing adjective
- 徱ˈԾԲ adverb
- 徱ˈԾԳ noun
- 徱ˈԾ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of diminish1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
His fastball averaged only 88.4 mph, down a tick from its already diminished average, and it generated no whiffs.
Asked about unionist concerns over Irish, he said that being "undoubtedly Welsh doesn't diminish your sense of being part of the United Kingdom".
They will not reconvene until a pre-season camp in September but Van Graan said the ambition to keep getting better will not diminish.
Iran's proxy forces - Hamas and Hezbollah – may be much diminished but its supportive militias in Iraq remain armed and intact.
Tehran’s proxy groups may be diminished, but Iran still has its Quds Force, through which the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps conducts nonstate and unconventional warfare.
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Related 51Թs
When To Use
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.
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