diminish

Meaning

1. (transitive) To make smaller.
2. (intransitive) To become less or smaller.
3. (transitive) To make appear smaller than in reality; to dismiss as unimportant.
4. (transitive) To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken; to nerf (in gaming).
5. (intransitive) To taper.
6. (intransitive) To disappear gradually.
7. (transitive) To take away; to subtract.

Synonyms

decrease

reduce

lessen

abate

decline

shrink

subside

dwindle

grow less

weaken

lower

shorten

wane

become less

curtail

fall

go down

abridge

drop

belittle

ease

cut

slacken

waste

subtract

recede

contract

mitigate

moderate

reduced

minimize

make small

become smaller

bring down

alleviate

allay

impair

let up

understate

soften

disappear

destroy

deteriorate

cut down

drop off

palliate

attenuate

come to an end

make smaller

abbreviate

Translations

diminuer

diminuire

disminuir

diminuir

réduire

verminderen

vermindern

afnemen

sich vermindern

abaisser

verringern

verkleinern

schrumpfen

abnehmen

decrescere

Pronounced as (IPA)

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃ/

Etymology

Formed under the influence of both diminue (from Old French diminuer, from Latin dīminuo) and minish.