diminishing

/di'miniʃip/

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Word: Diminishing

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "diminishing" means that something is becoming smaller, weaker, or less important. It describes a process where the size, amount, or quality of something decreases over time.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "diminishing" to talk about physical things (like size), feelings (like respect or love), or situations (like resources or opportunities).
• It often implies that the decrease is gradual, not sudden.

Examples:

1. Physical Context: "The sunlight was diminishing as the sun set behind the mountains." (Here, the amount of sunlight is getting less.)
2. Emotional Context: "His diminishing respect for her made it difficult for them to communicate." (In this case, respect is decreasing over time.)
3. Resource Context: "The team faced diminishing returns as they invested more time but saw little improvement." (This means that the benefits they were getting became smaller even though they put in more effort.)

Advanced Usage:

• "Diminishing returns" is a common phrase used in economics, which refers to a point where adding more resources (like time, money, or effort) results in smaller increases in output or benefits.
• "Diminished capacity" can refer to a reduction in ability or potential, often used in legal or medical contexts.

Word Variants:

• Diminish (verb): To make or become less. (e.g., "The medicine will help diminish the pain.")
• Diminution (noun): The act or process of diminishing. (e.g., "There has been a noticeable diminution in the quality of the product.")

Different Meanings:

• While "diminishing" primarily refers to something becoming less, in some contexts, it can also imply a reduction in importance or value, not just size.

Synonyms:

• Decreasing
• Lessening
• Reducing
• Shrinking
• Waning

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• Diminishing returns: As mentioned earlier, this phrase means that beyond a certain point, adding more resources does not yield proportionate benefits.
• To dwindle: This phrasal verb means to gradually become smaller or weaker, similar in meaning to "diminishing." (e.g., "The number of participants began to dwindle after the initial excitement wore off.")

Summary:

"Diminishing" is a useful word to describe anything that is getting smaller, weaker, or less significant over time.

Academic

Adjective

1. becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so
   • diminishing returns
   • his diminishing respect for her