Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Gradually decreasing in size, amount, or strength until little remains: Describes something that is steadily and continuously becoming smaller or less significant.

2. Noun:

   • The process or fact of becoming gradually less: Refers to the act of dwindling or the state of having dwindled.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The dwindling supplies forced the explorers to turn back. (The supplies that were gradually decreasing forced the explorers to turn back.)
  • We are concerned about the dwindling population of the endangered species. (We are concerned about the population that is steadily becoming smaller.)

• Noun:

  • The report documented the steady dwindling of the city's manufacturing sector. (The report documented the steady process of becoming less in the city's manufacturing sector.)
  • The dwindling of her enthusiasm was noticeable to everyone. (The gradual decrease of her enthusiasm was noticeable to everyone.)

Advanced Usage

• "On the dwindling": In a state of gradual decrease. This is a less common construction.
  • Natural resources are on the dwindling due to overconsumption. (Natural resources are in a state of gradual decrease due to overconsumption.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dwindle (verb): To become gradually less or smaller.
  • Their savings began to dwindle after the job loss.
• Dwindled (adjective): Having become greatly reduced.
  • They surveyed the dwindled forest.

Synonyms

• Diminishing: Becoming less or smaller.
• Declining: Decreasing in strength, power, or quality.
• Shrinking: Becoming smaller in size or amount.
• Waning: Gradually decreasing in vigor, power, or extent.

Antonyms

• Growing: Increasing in size, amount, or intensity.
• Expanding: Becoming larger or more extensive.
• Increasing: Becoming greater in size, amount, or degree.

Related Phrases

• Dwindling away: The process of slowly disappearing or becoming used up. This phrase emphasizes the progression to an endpoint.
  • The old traditions are dwindling away. (The old traditions are slowly disappearing.)
• Dwindle down to: To reduce gradually until only a small amount remains.
  • The crowd dwindled down to just a few loyal fans. (The crowd reduced gradually until only a few loyal fans remained.)

Adjective

1. gradually decreasing until little remains

Noun

1. a becoming gradually less
   • there is no greater sadness that the dwindling away of a family