DWINDLE Synonyms: 121 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'dwindle' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dwindle are abate , decrease , diminish , lessen , and reduce . While all these words mean "to grow or make less," dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. // their provisions dwindled slowly

Q: Where would 'abate' be a reasonable alternative to 'dwindle'?

While the synonyms abate and dwindle are close in meaning, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. // the storm abated

Q: When could 'decrease' be used to replace 'dwindle'?

Although the words decrease and dwindle have much in common, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. // slowly decreased the amount of pressure

Q: When is 'diminish' a more appropriate choice than 'dwindle'?

The synonyms diminish and dwindle are sometimes interchangeable, but diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. // his visual acuity has diminished

Q: When can 'lessen' be used instead of 'dwindle'?

In some situations, the words lessen and dwindle are roughly equivalent. However, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. // has been unable to lessen her debt

Q: When might 'reduce' be a better fit than 'dwindle'?

The words reduce and dwindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. // you must reduce your caloric intake

dwindle

verb

ˈdwin-dᵊl

Definition of dwindle

as in to reduce

to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent the long winter dwindled our supply of firewood to practically nothing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to diminish

to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually our hopes dwindled as the reports of more casualties came in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb dwindle differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of dwindle are abate, decrease, diminish, lessen, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Where would abate be a reasonable alternative to dwindle?

While the synonyms abate and dwindle are close in meaning, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When could decrease be used to replace dwindle?

Although the words decrease and dwindle have much in common, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

When is diminish a more appropriate choice than dwindle?

The synonyms diminish and dwindle are sometimes interchangeable, but diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

When can lessen be used instead of dwindle?

In some situations, the words lessen and dwindle are roughly equivalent. However, lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When might reduce be a better fit than dwindle?

The words reduce and dwindle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of dwindle The two countries have been in talks in recent weeks to restore commercial ‌shipping, which has dwindled to a trickle. — Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 21 Aug. 2026 For all the talk of upgrading, Rogers and Vinicius Jr have eluded them, and the list of plausible upgrades is dwindling. — James McNicholas, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026 Its fortunes dwindled, however, thanks in part to the rise of the internet and digital music services like iTunes. — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026 Trump has largely ignored the dwindling number of fiscal hawks in his Republican Party, championing heavy spending across his two terms. — David Lawder, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dwindle

Recent Examples of Synonyms for dwindle

Verb

Its movements and squeaks change in response to the person interacting with it, giving caregivers another way to reduce distress and encourage engagement.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 30 Aug. 2026
For instance, a creditor might bid $35,000 for a $50,000 SUV, reducing the judgment by that amount, then sell it for $50,000, pocketing $15,000.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

At least one expert said that some workers could have access to oxygen, but others warned that the chances of finding survivors were diminishing.

— Shristi Kafle, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Violence diminishes its victims, forcing everyone to play a single thankless role.

— Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

Travel data shows the average group size for trips has decreased since COVID-19 began.

— Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
To continue decreasing the vacancy rate, Center City Partners has focused on older buildings that aren’t as appealing to a return-to-office workforce That focus is on renovations or conversions.

— Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Though impending rainstorms are likely to make rescue operations more difficult, officials say a previous threat from a lake that had formed on the border between Nepal and Tibet has substantially subsided.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Opinion polls gave the king firm backing to stay on for life, however, and the criticism subsided.

— Terje Solsvik, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of subside

Verb

The 2026 Social Security trustees report projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund will be depleted in the fourth quarter of 2032.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026
The war has also depleted some of the Pentagon’s most important missile stocks, leaving fewer available for another major conflict.

— Steven Beynon, ABC News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of deplete

Verb

However, entering June, crude prices pulled back significantly, while retail gasoline prices declined at a markedly slower pace.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
At home several center-right parties initially declined to join his coalition, illustrating the challenge of uniting the broader Brazilian right behind his candidacy.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

The research makes a compelling case that in the age of AI, the once-bright line between data and executable code is vanishing.

— Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 27 Aug. 2026
Hollywood voice actors are split over AI voice cloning, as big-name performers license lucrative replicas while freelancers see jobs vanish and fear training their own replacements.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of vanish

Verb

The continent's sweltering summer has meanwhile boosted demand for air conditioning and other energy-hungry appliances at a time when demand for gas, widely used for Europe's heating and cooking needs, naturally falls.

— Jenni Reid, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026
The Oscar winner paired a leopard-print Givenchy fall 2026 dress and the fashion house’s modern take on T-strap high heels.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of fall

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“Dwindle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dwindle. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of dwindle

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