What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
diminish
Example
The number of students in the class has diminished over the years. [diminished: past participle]
Example
The company's profits have been diminishing steadily. [diminishing: present participle]
dwindle
Example
The population of the town has dwindled to just a few hundred people. [dwindled: past participle]
Example
The team's chances of winning are dwindling with each passing minute. [dwindling: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Diminish is more commonly used than dwindle in everyday language. Diminish is a more general term that covers a wide range of contexts, while dwindle is less common and often used in specific situations where a gradual decrease is emphasized.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between diminish and dwindle?
Both diminish and dwindle can be used in formal or informal contexts, but diminish is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of formality levels.
