Diminish Meaning
Diminish Definition & Usage
To make or become smaller, less, or weaker.
Examples
- "The company’s profits have diminished over the past few years."
- "The pain in my knee began to diminish after I took the medicine."
- "As the sun set, the warmth of the day diminished."
- "His reputation was diminished by the scandal."
- "The importance of the issue has diminished with time."
To make someone or something seem less important or significant.
Examples
- "He felt that his contributions were diminished during the meeting."
- "The article seemed to diminish the importance of her achievements."
- "By making sarcastic remarks, she tried to diminish his confidence."
- "Her influence in the company diminished after the new CEO arrived."
- "Don't let anyone diminish your worth or talents."
To reduce the intensity, magnitude, or degree of a physical phenomenon, such as light, sound, or force.
Examples
- "The thick curtains helped diminish the amount of sunlight in the room."
- "The noise from the street diminished as we closed the window."
- "This medication can diminish the effects of the virus."
- "The filter is designed to diminish harmful UV rays."
- "He used a device that diminished the sound of the engine for a quieter ride."
Cultural Context
The word 'diminish' has roots in the Latin term 'deminuere,' which means 'to lessen or make smaller.' Over time, it evolved in both English and other languages to describe the act of reducing something's size, importance, or intensity. It is commonly used in everyday speech, as well as in technical and scientific contexts.
The Dimming Light
Story
The Dimming Light
At the heart of the city, in an old bookshop filled with dust and memories, a small, flickering light bulb struggled to stay lit. It was late afternoon, and a woman named Nora stood by the counter, flipping through an ancient tome on linguistics. Her face, usually full of light and energy, was now tired and drawn, a reflection of the past few months of challenges she’d been facing. Nora had worked tirelessly to launch her new business, but slowly, she began to see signs that her efforts might not be enough. The number of customers had diminished, and with it, her once-strong belief in success. As the days passed, she found herself wondering if she was diminishing in her own eyes, no longer the ambitious entrepreneur she once was. One afternoon, as the sun began to set, the bookshop's small window revealed the fading glow of the day. Nora watched as the light outside gradually diminished, and with it, something within her seemed to shift. The dimming light reminded her of the resilience in nature—the sun would return tomorrow, and so too could her drive. She could feel her confidence, which had diminished over the past weeks, slowly returning. Later that evening, as she walked through the quiet streets, Nora met her old friend Liam. He had heard about her struggles and took the time to remind her of the passion and strength she had when she started her business. 'You’ve let the challenges diminish your belief in yourself, but I know what you’re capable of,' he said. His words sparked something inside her. The next morning, Nora woke up early. The light in her bookshop was brighter now, her determination stronger. She realized that while external factors could diminish her business for a time, it was her inner drive that would ultimately determine her success. Nora's business slowly started to pick up again, but more importantly, she had rediscovered the spark within herself that no external circumstance could diminish.
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