diminish

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To become smaller, weaker, or less; or to make something smaller or less.

   As the years passed, her interest in the subject gradually diminished.

2. 2
   verb

   To make someone or something seem less important or valuable.

   I don't want to diminish the work he did, but the team deserves credit too.

Formed under the influence of both diminue (from Old French diminuer, from Latin dīminuo) and minish.

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