diminish hope

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminish hope" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the feeling of being less hopeful about a situation, or someone's outlook on a situation. For example: The news of the pandemic continued to diminish hope that things would soon return to normal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But Mr. Jackson writes easygoing, believable dialogue, and the play is moving in its exploration of how time and circumstance — and the hard fact of poverty — can diminish hope, divide loving siblings and ultimately extinguish life itself.

The New York Times

He begged for forgiveness between those at war in the Middle East, where, he said, "the continuous recourse to acts of terror and war, which aggravate the situation and diminish hope on all sides, must finally give way to a negotiated solution".

The New York Times

Indeed, evidence suggests that these discussions neither appear to cause harm nor diminish hope [ 18, 19].

BMC Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

However, the data will diminish hopes that the ECB will feel the need to take further action to stimulate growth.

The Guardian - Business

If confirmed, the ban on the Brotherhood — Egypt's mainstream Islamist group — would further diminish hopes of the new government's fulfilling its promise to restart a democratic political process that would include Mr. Morsi's Islamist supporters.

The New York Times

"They see palliative care as diminishing hope".

The New York Times - Health

Inside government, there is diminishing hope a viable third country can be found.

The Guardian

Despite the diminishing hope for parole, the environment in Fiske is positive and busy.

The New York Times

I had by now already done my anagrams in Countdown (living with the diminishing hope of something rude turning up).

The Guardian

Our (diminishing )hope is that the great academies of science will finally recognize this appalling abuse of natural processes and do their duty to fight to end it.

Harvard University

At least for all the other men who keep returning each year with diminishing hope, Soderling is proof that it can be done.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminish hope", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately conveys the reduction of optimism rather than its complete absence. For a stronger effect, consider alternatives like "extinguish hope".

Common error

Avoid using "diminish hope" in situations that are only mildly disappointing. This phrase is more appropriate when describing significant setbacks or pervasive negativity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diminish hope" functions as a verb phrase where "diminish" acts as a transitive verb taking "hope" as its direct object. It describes the action of reducing or lessening the amount of hope associated with a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "diminish hope" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear way to describe a reduction in optimism. While relatively rare, it's most commonly found in news and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. When employing this phrase, consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended degree of reduced optimism, and avoid overuse in situations that are only mildly disappointing. Alternatives such as "lessen optimism" or "reduce expectations" can provide similar meaning with potentially different stylistic nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extinguish optimism

Uses "extinguish" to indicate a complete end to positive outlook.

lessen optimism

Replaces "hope" with "optimism" and "diminish" with "lessen", keeping the core meaning intact.

reduce expectations

Focuses on lowering anticipations rather than directly affecting hope.

destroy anticipation

Focuses on negating the feeling of looking forward to something.

weaken prospects

Shifts from emotional state to the state of potential outcomes.

erode confidence

Emphasizes the gradual destruction of trust or belief.

sap morale

Highlights the reduction of enthusiasm and spirit.

undermine faith

Focuses on weakening belief in something, rather than general hope.

kill aspiration

Conveys the idea of suppressing ambition and dreams.

crush spirits

Emphasizes the destructive impact on one's emotional state.

FAQs

How can I use "diminish hope" in a sentence?

You can use "diminish hope" to describe situations or events that reduce optimism about the future. For example: "The continuous setbacks began to diminish hope for a quick resolution."

What phrases are similar to "diminish hope"?

Alternatives to "diminish hope" include phrases like "lessen optimism", "reduce expectations", or "weaken prospects", which all convey a similar sense of reduced positive outlook.

Is "diminish hope" formal or informal?

"Diminish hope" is suitable for neutral to formal contexts. In more casual settings, you might opt for simpler language like "reduce optimism" or "lower expectations".

What's the difference between "diminish hope" and "destroy hope"?

"Diminish hope" implies a reduction in hope, whereas "destroy hope" suggests a complete loss of hope. "Diminish hope" indicates a gradual decline, while "destroy hope" implies a more abrupt end.