diluted

USAGE SUMMARY

'diluted' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a substance that has been weakened or reduced in strength by the addition of another substance. For example, you could say "The paint was diluted with water to create the desired shade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the impetus for the adoption of the single currency came from the French, who felt the Bundesbank was too powerful and that its influence could be diluted by a European central bank.

The Guardian - Business

That's when he plays his best; when he reins it in, his venom is diluted.

The Guardian - Sport

The resolution's Arab sponsors had earlier diluted two key provisions: a demand that President Assad resign and a call for other countries to impose sanctions on Syria.

The Guardian

Mick Cash, general secretary of the RMT union, said: "RMT has warned repeatedly that the safety culture on Network Rail has been diluted by savage cuts to staffing and the proliferation of agencies and contractors, which has led to casualisation of safety critical work and a surge in staff on zero-hours contracts.

The Guardian - Business

The climbdown, however, has not diluted the public's fury over the cuts and increases in areas such as VAT and hospital charges.

The Guardian

Finish with a dash of soy sauce, diluted if you wish with a little hot water.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many Lib Dem seats have been diluted by changes and may be harder to hold, such as Chris Huhne's Eastleigh.

The Guardian

Yet Boyle's happy royal experience has not diluted a core conviction he has not spoken about until now.

The Guardian - Film

Though even the yoghurt-only versions are slightly diluted with ice, I find the Greek variety too thick to drink, while Pathak's almost equal parts yoghurt and water recipe proves too thin for my taste (and the combination of fizzy soda water and creamy yoghurt is just plain weird).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rather than act to punish Bush for those actions, the Congress, on a bipartisan basis in 2008, enacted a new, highly diluted Fisa law – the Fisa Amendments Act of 2008 (FAA) – that legalized much of the Bush warrantless NSA program.

The Guardian - Opinion

Add water, tasting as you go, to make sure it isn't too diluted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing abstract concepts, consider using "diluted" to convey a weakening of influence or impact, such as "The company's original vision became diluted over time."

Common error

Avoid using "diluted" excessively in formal writing when more precise terms like "weakened" or "attenuated" might better convey the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "diluted" is as a past participle or adjective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that has been made weaker or less concentrated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

22%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "diluted" functions primarily as a past participle or adjective, signifying a reduction in strength, concentration, or impact. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable term in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When seeking alternatives, "watered down" and "weakened" offer close semantic parallels. Remember to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey when choosing between "diluted" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

watered down

Indicates a lessening of strength or effectiveness, often through the addition of water or something similar.

weakened

Signifies a decrease in strength or intensity, implying a reduction in power or force.

attenuated

Suggests a reduction in intensity or severity, often in a gradual or subtle manner.

thinned out

Refers to making something less dense or concentrated, implying a reduction in substance or consistency.

debased

Indicates a lowering in quality or character, implying a reduction in value or worth.

adulterated

Implies making something impure or inferior by adding extraneous substances.

reduced

A general term for making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or intensity.

impaired

Indicates a diminishing of function or quality, suggesting a weakening or damage.

lessened

Signifies a decrease in amount, intensity, or degree, implying a reduction in magnitude.

mitigated

Suggests making something less severe, serious, or painful, implying a reduction in impact.

FAQs

How can I use "diluted" in a sentence?

You can use "diluted" to describe something that has been made weaker or less concentrated by adding a substance, such as "The juice was diluted with water". It can also describe something that has lost its impact or importance, such as "The company's brand image has been diluted over time".

What are some alternatives to using "diluted"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "watered down", "weakened", or "attenuated".

Is it better to say "the message was diluted" or "the message was weakened"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but the better choice depends on the specific context. "Diluted" implies that something has been mixed with something else, causing it to lose its purity or strength. "Weakened" simply means that something has become less strong or effective. If the message was changed or compromised, then "diluted" might be more appropriate. If the message simply lost its impact over time, then "weakened" might be a better fit.

What's the difference between "diluted" and "debased"?

"Diluted" means something has been made weaker, often by adding something to it. "Debased" means something has been lowered in quality or value, often through moral corruption. While both suggest a reduction in quality, "debased" carries a stronger connotation of moral decline than "diluted".