Master confusing words with ease
Minimize vs. Diminish
Minimize
/ˈmɪnəmaɪz/Examples:
He tried to minimize the damage caused by his error.Let's minimize waste to support environmental efforts.We need to minimize costs for a higher profit margin.
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Antonyms:
Diminish
/dəˈmɪnɪʃ/Examples:
Akakii Akakievichs cheerfulness diminished at this point in a marked degree.On the contrary, it will diminish.His authority began to diminish after the scandal.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Minimize often implies an intentional action to make something as small or insignificant as possible.
- Diminish suggests that something decreases in size, importance, or intensity, often naturally or unintentionally.
- Minimize is frequently used in contexts where control over the process is implied.
- Diminish can indicate a reduction over time or due to external factors.
- The outcome of minimize is typically planned, while diminish can be more passive.
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