diminished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diminished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reduction in size, importance, or quality of something. Example: "His enthusiasm for the project has diminished over time, leading to a lack of motivation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the 75-year-old ayatollah has become so powerful that the council's supervisory role has diminished to a symbolic one despite members still being elected in public votes.

The Guardian

Restored to leadership, the children of the old ruling class find themselves diminished.

The Guardian - Opinion

Maryam senses a tangibly diminished morality police "presence".

The Guardian

The end of European colonialism in the Muslim world in no way diminished the immediacy of that challenge nor the venality, brutality and incompetence of local regimes.

The Guardian

The summer months are the boom time for letting: "All the one-bed stock is being diminished.

The Guardian - Money

And that's really the point of next month's UK general election, in which the current Conservative prime minister, David Cameron, and his Labour challenger, Ed Miliband, are battling for the top job: this year, those powers are diminished more than they have been for a century.

The Guardian

For once, France is no exception: since the crisis began trust in the EU has diminished and its image has worsened.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is something slightly diminished about Miliband as he walks on to the stage.

The Guardian

When there are no funds, no transport, how are we going to participate?" And yet, everyone claims that illegal forest activity has diminished.

The Guardian

Coming to terms with his own slightly diminished powers at 33, Federer appreciates that Nadal, who has won the French title nine times, has hit a few poor patches this summer, even on his favoured clay.

The Guardian - Sport

But it has increased, is increasing and ought to be diminished.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diminished", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and the extent of the reduction. Consider using adverbs like 'slightly', 'significantly', or 'gradually' to add precision.

Common error

Avoid using "diminished" when a complete removal or elimination is intended. "Diminished" implies a reduction, not a total disappearance. Use alternatives like "removed" or "eliminated" if something is completely gone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "diminished" is as a past participle adjective, modifying a noun to indicate a state of reduction or lessening. Ludwig provides examples where it describes decreased power, reduced morality, or lessened presence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Sport

8%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Business

4%

Lifestyle

2%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "diminished" is a versatile word, predominantly used as a past participle adjective to describe a state of reduction or lessening. According to Ludwig, the word follows standard grammar rules and is very common in various contexts, especially within News & Media. When writing, ensure that the context clarifies what is being reduced and to what extent, avoiding its use when complete removal is intended. Considering its neutral register, it suits diverse writings. Alternatives like "reduced" or "lessened" are available for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lessened in importance

Emphasizes a decrease in significance or relevance.

reduced in size

Focuses specifically on the physical reduction in size.

decreased in value

Highlights a reduction in monetary or perceived worth.

weakened in strength

Indicates a loss of power or resilience.

shrunk in stature

Suggests a decline in reputation or influence.

attenuated in intensity

Highlights a reduction in force or energy.

curtailed in scope

Focuses on a limitation in extent or range.

pared down

Suggests a simplification or reduction to essentials.

eroded away

Implies a gradual loss or deterioration over time.

scaled back

Indicates a deliberate reduction in scale or ambition.

FAQs

How can I use "diminished" in a sentence?

You can use "diminished" to describe something that has been reduced in size, importance, or quality. For example, "The company's profits "diminished" due to the economic downturn."

What can I say instead of "diminished"?

You can use alternatives like "reduced", "lessened", or "decreased" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the importance has diminished"?

Yes, it is correct. "Diminished" can be used to describe a decrease in importance. For example, "The importance of that role has "diminished" over time."

What's the difference between "diminished" and "destroyed"?

"Diminished" means reduced or lessened, while "destroyed" means completely ruined or eliminated. Something that is "diminished" still exists, but in a smaller or weaker state; something that is "destroyed" no longer exists.