diminish

/də-ˈmi-nish/

Middle English deminishen, alteration of diminuen, from Anglo-French diminuer, from Late Latin diminuere, alteration of Latin deminuere, from de- + minuere to lessen

verb

  1. to make less or cause to appear less

  2. to lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of : belittle

  3. to cause to taper

diminish an army's strength

decrease lessen diminish reduce abate dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.