English Dictionary
Definition of “diminish”
diminish (dɪˈmɪnɪʃ
)
Definitions
verb
- to make or become smaller, fewer, or less
- (tr) architecture 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
Alternative Forms
diˈminishable adjective diˈminishingly adverb diˈminishment noun Word Origin
C15: blend of diminuen to lessen (from Latin dēminuere to make smaller, from minuere to reduce) + archaic minish to lessen
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
=
decrease,
decline,
lessen,
contract,
weaken,
shrink,
dwindle,
wane,
recede,
subside,
ebb,
taper,
die out,
fade away,
abate,
peter out,
=
reduce,
cut,
decrease,
lessen,
contract,
lower,
weaken,
curtail,
abate,
retrench,
disempower,
=
belittle,
scorn,
devalue,
undervalue,
deride,
demean,
denigrate,
scoff at
disparage,
decry,
sneer at
underrate,
deprecate,
depreciate,
cheapen,
derogate,
Translations
- British English:
diminish
When something diminishes, its importance, size, or intensity is reduced.The threat of war has diminished. Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state.dɪˈmɪnɪʃ VERB The threat of war has diminished. Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state.
- Spanish:
disminuir
v
- French:
diminuer
vt
- German:
verringern
v
- Chinese: 减少 v
- Arabic: يُقَلِّلُ v
- Portuguese: diminuir v
- Russian: уменьшать v
- Croatian: smanjiti v
- Czech: zmenšit (se) v zmenšovat (se)
- Danish: formindske v
- Dutch: verminderen v
- Finnish: vähentyä v
- Greek: μικραίνω v
- Italian: diminuire v
- Japanese: 減らす v
- Korean: 줄이다 v
- Norwegian: svekke v
- Polish: zmniejszyć v zmniejszać
- Brazilian Portuguese: diminuir v
- European Spanish:
disminuir
v
- Swedish: minska v
- Thai: ทำให้ลดลง v
- Turkish: azalmak v
- Vietnamese: giảm bớt v
Usage examples
Computer screens gave off a luminous sheen; pot plants seemed to breathe, and to swell and diminish minutely with each breath.
Weldon, Fay, Splitting (1995)Chapman's last bid for release in 2002 was rejected on the grounds that it would diminish the seriousness of his crime.
NME (New Musical Express) (2004)In this case, the buyback will helped diminish the dilution effect on the company's stock of the debenture redemption share issue.
canada.com (2005)Property owners fear the value of their homes will diminish.
Glasgow Herald (2001)It does not diminish the sense of wonder at human diligence; rather, it lends perspective.
Richard Fortey, THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
