diminution

noun

ˌdi-mə-ˈnü-shən How to pronounce diminution (audio)
Definition of diminutionnext
as in decrease
the amount by which something is lessened a diminution of 60 percent over the course of the month

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of diminution But one of the most immediate and visible consequences of 1898 was the diminution of the city’s Black population. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026 The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified compensation and punitive damages for emotional distress, the temporary loss of property use and the long-term diminution of property value caused by chemical stigma. — Louis Casiano, FOXNews.com, 29 May 2026 Fears of automation, contraction and general diminution abound everywhere. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 29 May 2026 With the federal government’s attacks on public employees, collective bargaining remains one of the last bulwarks against further diminution of the role or benefits of public employees. — Linh Tat, Oc Register, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for diminution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for diminution
  1. decrease
  2. reduction
  3. dent
  4. decline
  5. drop
Noun
  • The decreases come as the CTA boosted law enforcement on the system at the federal government’s behest, a move that threatened to withhold funding from the transit agency after last year’s Blue Line attack.
    — Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • If the amount of money provided by the state to school districts decreases because some children leave for private school, the legislature can adjust the Blueprint funding formula that ties funding to the number of students who attend a school.
    — Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of decrease
Noun
  • Hinson said the bill’s reductions to Medicaid spending for Iowa will be offset by the Rural Health Transformation Program, which allots $50 billion divided among all 50 states over the next five years.
    — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Higher borrowing costs will eventually force a reduction in credit and spending, weighing on economic activity and potentially spilling over into equity markets, Dalio said.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduction
Noun
  • During the launch, a chunk of insulating foam broke off of the external tank and hit the bottom of the rocket booster, leaving a huge dent.
    — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Companies like Flock allow users to conduct searches based on characteristics like vehicle make, model and color, as well as other distinctive vehicle features like dents and stickers.
    — Abigail Hall, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dent
Noun
  • Huawei's push into the smartphone market comes as sales in China have slumped this year, with a double-digit decline year-on-year in August and September, according to Counterpoint Research.
    — Matthew Tan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The co-CEOs have modeled a cash ramp-up in coming years but meanwhile there’s not a big cushion if churn rises, cable-network declines accelerate, the box office softens again or there’s macroeconomic or geopolitical disruption.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of decline
Noun
  • On Friday, Tesla reported better-than-expected third-quarter vehicle deliveries, lifting the stock almost 5%, but the company still posted a 2% year-over-year drop.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The practical argument for wind-and-rain protection applies equally to spring transitional weather, and the trickle-down to Zara and Uniqlo means the shape will stay in stores well past this fall’s drop cycle.
    — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of drop

Browse Nearby Words

diminishments
diminution
diminutions
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Diminution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/diminution. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on diminution

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about diminution

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All