diminish
Definitions
To make or become smaller, weaker, or less in amount.
（使）减少，缩小，减弱。
To make someone or something seem less important; to belittle.
贬低，使显得不重要。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedBuilt on Latin minuere, 'to lessen' (from minor, 'smaller'), reaching English through Old French where it picked up the di- front. The core is simply 'make less.' It works both ways: enthusiasm can diminish on its own (shrink), and a remark can diminish a person (make them seem smaller — i.e. belittle them).
Root minu still carries 49 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.diminish in size尺寸缩小
- 2.diminish over time随时间减少
- 3.diminishing returns收益递减
- 4.gradually diminish逐渐减少
Example Sentences
- 1.
Interest in the project began to diminish over time.
- 2.
Nothing can diminish the importance of her discovery.
- 3.
The medicine gradually diminished his pain.
Synonym Comparison
- diminish — gradual, formal lessening: enthusiasm diminished
- reduce — deliberate, often by a specific amount: reduce costs
- decrease — neutral, measurable drop: sales decreased
- lessen — milder, often about feelings/pain: lessen the impact
- dwindle — shrink slowly toward nothing: savings dwindled