feel diminished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel diminished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of reduced self-worth, confidence, or importance in a given situation. Example: "After receiving the harsh criticism, I couldn't help but feel diminished in my abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

They feel diminished.

The Guardian - Books

Journalists in Washington do not feel diminished by their lower salaries.

The New York Times

Except, uncomfortably, we do not feel diminished by any death – we are increasingly selective.

The Guardian

Humans can sit at home, watch an episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, and feel diminished.

University of California, Berkeley

They also made me feel diminished, as if I had no right grieving for a baby that never existed.

The Guardian - Opinion

"When you're a person that doesn't have money in a society that values money," she says, "you feel diminished.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

This, I feel, diminishes the argument put forward when Philippa meets Katharine Whitehorn, who worked alongside Woman's Own's prim and proper Mary Grant in the postwar years.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At Duke and other similar institutions, with thousands of whirring brains and uniquely talented individuals, this attitude of relative value can grow to feel diminishing.

Huffington Post

My feeling was probably more [in character than personal] that I felt diminished when I wore the costume — at least from Bruce Wayne's point of view.

Huffington Post

Life feels diminished.

The New York Times

I suddenly felt diminished, like a balsamic reduction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel diminished" to express a subjective sense of reduced worth or importance in situations where external factors or internal perceptions contribute to this feeling. Consider the context to determine if a more specific synonym, like "feel belittled" or "feel undervalued", might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "feel diminished" when describing an actual, measurable decrease in size, quantity, or intensity. "Diminished" in this sense applies to subjective feelings, not concrete attributes. For example, say "the light diminished" not "I felt the light diminished".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel diminished" functions as a linking verb followed by a past participle adjective functioning as a subject complement. It expresses a state of being where the subject experiences a reduction in self-worth or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "feel diminished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a subjective feeling of reduced self-worth or importance. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from authoritative sources across various contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's crucial to avoid using it in objective contexts where a measurable reduction is being described. Consider synonyms like ""feel belittled"" or ""feel insignificant"" to add more precision to your expression. Remember to use "feel diminished" when you want to convey a sense of personal reduction of value based on either the situation, how other treat you, or inner states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel belittled

Replaces "diminished" with a word suggesting a more active devaluation by someone else.

feel insignificant

Focuses on a lack of importance or impact.

feel minimized

Suggests a reduction in scope or consideration.

feel undervalued

Highlights a lack of recognition of one's worth.

feel inferior

Emphasizes a sense of being lower in status or quality.

feel unimportant

Similar to "feel insignificant", but with a slightly different nuance.

feel lessened

A more direct synonym for "feel diminished".

feel reduced

Similar to "feel lessened", indicating a decrease in size or importance.

lose self-esteem

Shifts the focus to the overall sense of self-worth.

experience a loss of confidence

Focuses on the reduction in confidence rather than overall sense of worth.

FAQs

How can I use "feel diminished" in a sentence?

You can use "feel diminished" to express a sense of reduced self-worth or importance. For instance, "After the harsh critique, I began to "feel diminished"."

What are some synonyms for "feel diminished"?

Alternatives include "feel belittled", "feel insignificant", or "feel undervalued", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "feel diminished" in formal writing?

Yes, "feel diminished" is appropriate in formal writing. It conveys a clear and understandable meaning and is found in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What's the difference between "feel diminished" and "feel belittled"?

"Feel diminished" implies a general reduction in self-worth, while "feel belittled" suggests that someone else has actively devalued you. The choice depends on whether the feeling is self-generated or externally imposed.