Definitions
- Describing a reduction in size, amount, or intensity of something. - Referring to a decline in importance, value, or quality of something. - Talking about a decrease in power, influence, or authority of someone or something.
- Describing a decrease in amount, degree, or intensity of something. - Referring to a reduction in the severity or frequency of something. - Talking about a decline in the importance or significance of something.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a decrease or reduction in something.
- 2Both words can be used to talk about physical or abstract concepts.
- 3Both words can be used as verbs.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Diminish implies a more significant reduction than lessen.
- 2Scope: Diminish can refer to a broader range of contexts than lessen.
- 3Connotation: Diminish can have a negative connotation, while lessen is more neutral.
- 4Usage: Lessen is more commonly used in everyday language than diminish.
- 5Formality: Diminish is more formal than lessen.
Remember this!
Diminish and lessen are synonyms that describe a decrease or reduction in something. However, diminish implies a more significant reduction than lessen, and it can have a negative connotation. Lessen is more neutral and commonly used in everyday language to describe a reduction in the severity or frequency of something.
