WordValediminish
to make or become less
to make or become less
In more detail
1. (verb) to become or make something smaller, less important, or weaker
2. (verb) to reduce the respect or reputation someone has
Examples
- 1. The pain in her leg began to diminish after she took medicine.
- 2. Making fun of his accent diminished his confidence in speaking English.
How to use diminish
Diminish is a formal verb used to describe gradual reduction in size, quality, importance, or standing. It often implies a slow, cumulative process rather than sudden change, and in the second sense carries a more negative connotation about damaging reputation or credibility. It is more formal than 'decrease' or 'reduce' and appears frequently in academic, professional, and literary contexts.
Common phrases
- diminish in importance
- diminish over time
- diminish someone's reputation
- diminish confidence
- gradually diminish
Synonyms
decrease · reduce · lessen · decline · weaken
Opposites
increase · enhance · amplify
Word family
diminishment (noun) · diminished (adjective) · diminishing (adjective) · diminutive (adjective)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 'diminish' with 'diminutive' or mistakenly use it as a noun; remember that 'diminish' is primarily a verb, and the noun form is 'diminishment' (not common in everyday speech).
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