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Diminish
To become smaller in size, amount, importance, or intensity; to reduce.
verb💡
Imagine This
Imagine a bright lamp in a dark room. As a gust of wind blows, the lamp's glow steadily fades until only a faint glimmer remains.
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Sounds Like
dih-MIN-ish
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Looks Like
similar in spelling to 'diminutive' and 'diminution'; shares the same root meaning of smallness
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Remember This
The root 'min' relates to small. Diminish is often used for both physical size and figurative importance or impact.
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Other Forms
diminishmentnoun
diminishedadjective
diminishingverb
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Connect With
decrease, lessen, reduce, shrink, wane, attenuate
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Note
Diminish can be transitive (diminish something) or intransitive (diminish, without an object). Do not confuse with 'dim' (low light) when used as a verb meaning 'to make less bright'—though related, 'diminish' has a broader sense of reduction.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The storm's intensity diminished as it moved inland.
- Efforts to curb the spread of the disease diminished the number of new cases.
Synonyms
diminishdecreaselessenreducewane
Antonyms
increaseintensifyheighten
Etymology
From Middle English diminissen, Old French diminir, from Latin diminuere 'to lessen' (de- + minuere, 'to lessen').
Mnemonic
Mnemonic: DI-MINISh — Down to mini size. Imagine something large being pared down to a tiny version.
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Consonance
nounHarmony or agreement; in music, a pleasing combination of notes sounded together.
Outmoded
adjectiveNo longer in fashion or current; outdated or no longer useful or relevant.
Bias
nounA preference or inclination that prevents impartial judgment; a prejudice or leaning toward or against a person, group, or idea.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abandon
verbTo give up completely, to desert or leave behind, or to relinquish a claim, plan, or responsibility.
Abate
verbTo decrease in amount or intensity; to reduce or end something.
Abolish
verbTo formally end or repeal a system, practice, or institution; to officially put an end to something established.
Abridge
verbTo shorten (a text, speech, or other work) by omitting parts; to condense.
Abscond
verbTo depart secretly or flee, especially to avoid detection or arrest.
Absolve
verbTo free someone from blame or responsibility; to pardon or exonerate.
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