to feel diminished

USAGE SUMMARY

"to feel diminished" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express lack of esteem, respect, or confidence in oneself. For example: "After his performance was criticized, he felt diminished by his team's lack of confidence in him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But if King reacts to a friend's photograph of her spotty-faced teen-ager with a comment about pizza, he is likely to feel diminished rather than empowered.

The New Yorker

Even if some strong-minded individuals managed not to feel diminished by their own fall in relative status, the practical effects, like the bidding-up of house prices, couldn't be ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also claimed the free-kick from Fernandinho from which Jason Puncheon doubled the hosts lead early in the second half but, deep down, City will know they should not be made to feel diminished by 31-year-old journeymen enjoying Indian summers to careers spent largely in the lower divisions.

The Guardian - Sport

Other people can let us down, insult or humiliate us, leading us to feel diminished and in danger.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's impossible for a woman not to feel diminished and inadequate.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

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

I didn't feel diminished to be just like the other old people in the waiting room with their aides; I was grateful not to be there alone.

The New York Times

"The fight to remain sane and committed to your gifts and not feel diminished by a lack of recognition -- that was every black actor and actress's struggle.

The New York Times - Style

If we fight against the building of mosques, close our borders to Muslims, and threaten to register and monitor Them, some of them might feel diminished and disempowered and want to strike back at us.

Huffington Post

Today, with the UK choosing to leave the European Union, I feel diminished, a member of a small, belligerent island nation more than half full of bitter, cowardly people.

HuffPost

I have to say I don't feel undermined, I don't feel diminished, I don't feel undervalued by any visitor to these shores.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to feel diminished" when you want to convey a sense of reduced self-worth, capability, or status, often due to external factors or comparisons. It effectively communicates a subjective experience of being made smaller or less important.

Common error

Avoid using "to feel diminished" when the reduction in status is objective and measurable rather than a subjective feeling. For instance, don't say "The company felt diminished after losing half its revenue"; instead, say "The company's profits were diminished".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to feel diminished" functions as an infinitive phrase that acts as a verb complement, expressing a subjective emotional state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and commonly used. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its role in describing personal feelings of reduced worth.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to feel diminished" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a subjective experience of reduced self-worth or importance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase often appears in News & Media, conveying feelings of vulnerability or being undervalued. While various alternatives exist, such as "to feel belittled" or "to feel insignificant", the choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure the context is appropriate and reflects a genuine feeling, avoiding its use in objective or measurable reductions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to feel belittled

Focuses on the feeling of being made to seem unimportant.

to feel insignificant

Emphasizes a lack of importance or consequence.

to feel undervalued

Highlights a perceived lack of worth or appreciation.

to feel lessened

A more direct synonym, indicating a reduction in status or importance.

to feel minimized

Suggests a reduction in scale or impact.

to feel inferior

Focuses on a sense of being lower in status or quality.

to feel inadequate

Emphasizes a feeling of not being good enough or capable.

to feel powerless

Highlights a lack of control or influence.

to feel deflated

Suggests a loss of energy or enthusiasm.

to feel humbled

Implies a reduction in pride or arrogance, often after a humbling experience.

FAQs

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

You can use "to feel diminished" to describe a subjective experience of reduced self-worth or importance. For example, "After the public criticism, he began "to feel diminished"." or "She "felt diminished" by his constant negativity".

What does it mean "to feel diminished"?

It means to experience a reduction in one's sense of self-worth, importance, or power. It's a subjective feeling of being made smaller or less significant, often due to external circumstances or comparisons.

Which is a better way to phrase "to feel diminished": "to feel belittled" or "to feel insignificant"?

Both "to feel belittled" and "to feel insignificant" are good alternatives, but they have slightly different nuances. "To feel belittled" implies that someone else is making you feel small, while "to feel insignificant" suggests a more general feeling of unimportance, regardless of the cause. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What are some words related to "to feel diminished"?

Related words include "to feel belittled", "to feel insignificant", "to feel undervalued", "to feel lessened", and "to feel minimized". These phrases all convey a sense of reduced worth or importance, but with slightly different connotations.