diminish

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To make smaller.

   • The threat of terrorism to the British lies in the overreaction to it of British governments. Each one in turn clicks up the ratchet of surveillance, intrusion and security. Each one diminishes liberty.
2. 2

   To become less or smaller.

3. 3

   To make appear smaller than in reality

   To make appear smaller than in reality; to dismiss as unimportant.

4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To lessen the authority or dignity of

      To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken; to nerf (in gaming).

      • It shall be the basest of the kingdoms; neither shall it exalt itself any more above the nations: for I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
      • 1639, Ralph Robinson (translator), Utopia by Thomas More, London, Book 2, “Of their journying or travelling abroad,” p. 197, […] this doth nothing diminish their opinion.
      • O thou, that, with surpassing glory crowned, Lookest from thy sole dominion like the God Of this new world; at whose sight all the stars Hide their diminished heads; to thee I call,
   2. 5

      To taper.

      • The chair and table legs diminished as they neared the ground, and were straight and square in all their corners.
   3. 6

      To disappear gradually.

   4. 7

      To take away

      To take away; to subtract.

      • Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.

The neighborhood

• synonymdecline
• synonymebb
• synonymooze
• synonymabase
• synonymabate
• synonymbelittle
• synonymbesmall
• synonymbring down
• synonymembase
• synonymcut
• synonymdecrease
• synonymdecrement
• antonymimprove
• antonymrepair
• antonymrenovate
• antonymwax
• antonymaugment
• neighbordiminution
• neighboralter