diminish
To make or become less in size, importance, or value.
Examples
In a meeting
“Don't let one setback diminish the progress we've made this quarter.”
Over coffee
“My enthusiasm for the trip diminished after I saw the weather forecast.”
Why this word
reduce
Diminish suggests gradual decrease making something less significant, while reduce is neutral about manner or implication
decrease
Diminish often implies making less important or impressive, while decrease is purely quantitative
lessen
Diminish emphasizes making smaller in power or value with negative connotation, while lessen is neutral reduction
Usage tip
Implies gradual reduction, not sudden loss. Can be used for physical things (diminish in size) or abstract ones (diminish someone's contribution).
Etymology
Latin diminuere — de (away) + minuere (to make small, from minus 'less')
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Related words
perpetual
Never ending or changing; occurring continuously.
ample
More than enough; plentiful and sufficient.
revamp
To give new and improved form, structure, or appearance to something.
deteriorate
To become progressively worse over time.
versatile
Able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities.
inadvertent
Not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning; unintentional.