Diminution
noun
The action of making something less or smaller.
The diminution of forest lands leads to loss of biodiversity.
Often appears as...
- diminution in size
- rapid diminution
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A decrease in the size, extent, or importance of something.
The Crime and Disorder Act has led to a diminution in the rights of defendants.
Often appears as...
- diminution of value
- diminution of rights
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The process of lessening or reducing.
His work demonstrates a mastery of rhythm, harmony and diminution.
Often appears as...
- diminution of sound
- rhythmic diminution
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The action of making something less or smaller.
The diminution of forest lands leads to loss of biodiversity.
Often appears as...
- diminution in size
- rapid diminution
Usage tips
Formal
noun
A decrease in the size, extent, or importance of something.
The Crime and Disorder Act has led to a diminution in the rights of defendants.
Often appears as...
- diminution of value
- diminution of rights
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
noun
The process of lessening or reducing.
His work demonstrates a mastery of rhythm, harmony and diminution.
Often appears as...
- diminution of sound
- rhythmic diminution
Usage tips
Formal
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Contextual Nuance
Often implies a negative effect of becoming smaller or weaker.
The company's profits saw a diminution last quarter.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Bad
Can refer to purposeful reduction, sometimes positive.
Meditation led to a diminution of his anxiety.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Imagery
Useful for describing visual reduction in size or volume.
The sculpture's detail included the diminution of lines.
Compare with
abatecontractioncurtaildeclinedecreasedownsizinglessenreduce
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Video examples
Jackson Katz: Violence...
And if we can get to the place where men who act out in sexist ways will lose status, young men and boys who act out in sexist and harassing ways towards girls and women, as well as towards other boys and men, will lose status as a result of it, guess what? We'll see a radical diminution of the abuse.
Video examples
Life Beyond Earth, Part...
nighttime, all the windows are open, every light is on. And one person in that building goes to the window and lowers the blinds by about a centimeter. That's the precision that's required to see this tiny diminution of light caused by an Earth.
Video examples
Jackson Katz: Violence...
And if we can get to the place where men who act out in sexist ways will lose status, young men and boys who act out in sexist and harassing ways towards girls and women, as well as towards other boys and men, will lose status as a result of it, guess what? We'll see a radical diminution of the abuse.
Video examples
Life Beyond Earth, Part...
nighttime, all the windows are open, every light is on. And one person in that building goes to the window and lowers the blinds by about a centimeter. That's the precision that's required to see this tiny diminution of light caused by an Earth.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Leonardo da Vinci
Italian Artist
The divisions of Perspective are 3, as used in drawing; of these, the first includes the diminution in size of opaque objects; the second treats of the diminution and loss of outline in such opaque objects; the third, of the diminution and loss of colour at long distances.
Quote examples
Robert Walpole
British Statesman
If they are really persuaded that the army is annually established by me, that I have the sole disposal of posts and honours, that I employ this power in the destruction of liberty and the diminution of commerce, let me awaken them from their delusion.
Quote examples
Groucho Marx
American Comedian
The first thing which I can record concerning myself is, that I was born. These are wonderful words. This life, to which neither time nor eternity can bring diminution - this everlasting living soul, began. My mind loses itself in these depths.
Quote examples
David Ricardo
British Economist
If the quantity of labour realized in commodities, regulate their exchangeable value, every increase of the quantity of labour must augment the value of that commodity on which it is exercised, as every diminution must lower it.
Quote examples
Andrew Jackson
American President
Every diminution of the public burdens arising from taxation gives to individual enterprise increased power and furnishes to all the members of our happy confederacy new motives for patriotic affection and support.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
Every diminution of the liberty of the press is followed by a diminution of civilization. Wherever we see the freedom of the press interfered with, there we see the nutrition of the human family interrupted.
Quote examples
William Watson
English Poet
Personally, I do not believe that we shall have greater armaments in the future than we have had in the past. On the contrary, I believe there will be a gradual diminution in this respect.
Quote examples
Bainbridge Colby
American Public Servant
I am deeply concerned with the diminution of the teaching strength of the country as a result of the disproportionately low salaries that are paid to teachers throughout the country.
Quote examples
Benjamin Jowett
English Theologian
The achievements which society rewards are won at the cost of diminution of personality.
Quote examples
Herbert Spencer
English Philosopher
We do not commonly see in a tax a diminution of freedom, and yet it clearly is one.
Quote examples
Leonardo da Vinci
Italian Artist
The divisions of Perspective are 3, as used in drawing; of these, the first includes the diminution in size of opaque objects; the second treats of the diminution and loss of outline in such opaque objects; the third, of the diminution and loss of colour at long distances.
Quote examples
Robert Walpole
British Statesman
If they are really persuaded that the army is annually established by me, that I have the sole disposal of posts and honours, that I employ this power in the destruction of liberty and the diminution of commerce, let me awaken them from their delusion.
Quote examples
Groucho Marx
American Comedian
The first thing which I can record concerning myself is, that I was born. These are wonderful words. This life, to which neither time nor eternity can bring diminution - this everlasting living soul, began. My mind loses itself in these depths.
Quote examples
David Ricardo
British Economist
If the quantity of labour realized in commodities, regulate their exchangeable value, every increase of the quantity of labour must augment the value of that commodity on which it is exercised, as every diminution must lower it.
Quote examples
Andrew Jackson
American President
Every diminution of the public burdens arising from taxation gives to individual enterprise increased power and furnishes to all the members of our happy confederacy new motives for patriotic affection and support.
Quote examples
Victor Hugo
French Author
Every diminution of the liberty of the press is followed by a diminution of civilization. Wherever we see the freedom of the press interfered with, there we see the nutrition of the human family interrupted.
Quote examples
William Watson
English Poet
Personally, I do not believe that we shall have greater armaments in the future than we have had in the past. On the contrary, I believe there will be a gradual diminution in this respect.
Quote examples
Bainbridge Colby
American Public Servant
I am deeply concerned with the diminution of the teaching strength of the country as a result of the disproportionately low salaries that are paid to teachers throughout the country.
Quote examples
Benjamin Jowett
English Theologian
The achievements which society rewards are won at the cost of diminution of personality.
Quote examples
Herbert Spencer
English Philosopher
We do not commonly see in a tax a diminution of freedom, and yet it clearly is one.
Example 1 of 10
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