What is the opposite of “magnify”?

What is the antonym of “magnify”?

The antonyms of magnify are reduce, minimize, and diminish. The antonyms reduce, minimize, and diminish convey the opposite meaning of making something smaller or less significant.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

reduce

To make something smaller in size, amount, or degree.

Example

The company decided to reduce the number of employees to cut costs.

minimize

To make something seem less important or significant.

Example

The politician tried to minimize the impact of his controversial statement.

diminish

To make something smaller or weaker.

Example

The storm caused the river to diminish in size.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Reduce is a general term that describes making something smaller in size, amount, or degree.
• 2. Minimize is a more specific term that describes making something seem less important or significant.
• 3. Diminish is a term that describes making something smaller or weaker.

Good things to know

• 1. Academic Writing: Use these antonyms to describe changes in size, amount, or degree.
• 2. Business Communication: Incorporate these antonyms to discuss cost-cutting measures, project management, and risk assessment.
• 3. Everyday Conversation: Utilize these antonyms to express opinions, preferences, and feelings about various topics.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: Reduce conveys making something smaller in size, amount, or degree, minimize denotes making something seem less important or significant, and diminish refers to making something smaller or weaker. Use these words in academic writing, business communication, and everyday conversation to express opinions, preferences, and feelings about various topics.