Meaning & use
diminishing
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“diminishing” is a form of “diminish”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitive
Becoming smaller, weaker, or less important.
Grammar: No object; often used with words like 'returns', 'resources', 'importance'.
Patterns
- diminishing returns
- diminishing resources
- diminishing importance
The company's profits are diminishing each year.
His influence in the group is diminishing.
As the night went on, the noise was gradually diminishing.
verbtransitive
Making something smaller or less important.
Grammar: Takes an object: diminish the value. The -ing form can be used in progressive tenses.
Patterns
- diminishing something
- diminishing the value of something
The scandal is diminishing the value of the brand.
She felt that her boss was diminishing her achievements.
Word forms
| base form | diminish |
|---|---|
| third person singular | diminishes |
| past tense | diminished |
| past participle | diminished |
| present participle | diminishing |
Common combinations
- diminishing returns
- The project is suffering from diminishing returns; each new investment brings less profit.
- diminishing resources
- With diminishing resources, the team had to be more creative.
- diminishing importance
- The issue is of diminishing importance to voters.
Synonyms and how they differ
- decreasing
- Similar, but often used for numbers or amounts; 'diminishing' is broader and can refer to importance or strength.
- declining
- Often suggests a downward trend, especially in quality or quantity; 'diminishing' focuses on becoming smaller or less.
Opposites
Word family
- diminish verb
- To become or make smaller or less.
- diminution noun
- The act or process of becoming smaller or less.
- diminished adjective
- Made smaller or less.
Commonly confused: diminishing or deminishing?
diminishing vs deminishing
A common misspelling; the correct spelling is 'diminishing' with an 'i' after the 'm'.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
Choose one answer.
The correct form is 'diminishing' (present participle) to show an ongoing decrease. 'Deminishing' is a misspelling, 'diminish' is the base form and doesn't fit after 'are', and 'diminished' would mean the process is complete.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “diminishing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.