Diminish vs. Shrink — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 21, 2024
Diminish refers to a reduction in size, importance, or intensity, while shrink specifically denotes a decrease in physical size or volume.
Difference Between Diminish and Shrink
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Diminish often implies a reduction in size, importance, or intensity due to external factors or natural progression, such as the diminishing light at dusk. On the other hand, shrink typically refers to a decrease in physical size or volume, often resulting from external forces, like fabric shrinking in hot water.
While diminish can apply to abstract concepts, such as power or value, indicating a lessening over time, shrink is usually associated with tangible changes in size or mass, as observed in materials or objects.
Diminish can also suggest a gradual decline or reduction in degrees, emphasizing a process over time, like diminishing returns in economics. Whereas, shrink often conveys a more immediate or reactive change, as seen in shrinkage of materials due to exposure to heat.
In terms of usage, diminish is more versatile, used in both physical and metaphorical contexts, such as diminishing enthusiasm. Shrink, however, is more commonly used to describe physical changes, particularly in the context of materials or objects becoming smaller.
Diminish can carry connotations of loss or depletion that are less directly tied to physical size, such as diminishing resources. Shrink, in contrast, specifically emphasizes the physical aspect of becoming smaller or contracting, without necessarily implying a loss of significance or value.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To make or become less
To contract or make smaller
Contexts of Use
Both abstract and physical
Primarily physical
Connotations
Loss, reduction, depletion
Contraction, reduction in size
Examples
Power, enthusiasm, resources
Materials, objects
Temporal Implication
Gradual process
Immediate or reactive change
Compare with Definitions
Diminish
To lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of.
Scandal diminished the athlete's public image.
Shrink
To hesitate or be reluctant to do something.
He didn’t shrink from making the tough decision.
Diminish
To undergo reduction.
As the evening progressed, the crowd slowly diminished.
Shrink
To reduce in quantity or value.
Investments may shrink during a market downturn.
Diminish
To make less or cause to appear less.
The politician's evasive answers only diminished his credibility.
Shrink
To become smaller in size.
The sweater shrank in the wash.
Diminish
To belittle or derogate.
Critics should not diminish the achievements of the young artist.
Shrink
To recoil or draw back, typically due to fear.
She shrank away from the stray dog.
Diminish
To reduce in size, extent, or range.
The moon diminished as it waned.
Shrink
To undergo contraction.
Plastics can shrink when exposed to high temperatures.
Diminish
To make smaller or less; reduce or lessen.
Shrink
To become or appear to become smaller
The shadows shrank as the sun rose higher. The mountains shrank in the distance as we drove away.
Diminish
To detract from the authority, reputation, or prestige of
"Her upper-class perfection ... somehow diminished me" (Shirley Abbott).
Shrink
To become smaller from exposure to heat, moisture, or cold
The sweater shrank in the wash.
Diminish
To cause to taper.
Shrink
To become reduced in amount or value; dwindle
His savings quickly shrank. The market for that product has been shrinking.
Diminish
(Music) To reduce (a perfect or minor interval) by a semitone.
Shrink
To move back or away, especially in fear
"She shrank back against the wall and flattened her palms against it" (Pearl S. Buck).
Diminish
To become smaller or less.
Shrink
To show reluctance; hesitate
We should not shrink from making such a sacrifice.
Diminish
To taper.
Shrink
To cause to shrink
The treatment shrank the tumor.
Diminish
(transitive) To make smaller.
Shrink
The act of shrinking.
Diminish
(intransitive) To become less or smaller.
Shrink
The degree to which something shrinks; shrinkage.
Diminish
(transitive) To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken; to nerf (in gaming).
Shrink
(Slang) A psychotherapist.
Diminish
(intransitive) To taper.
Shrink
(transitive) To cause to become smaller.
The dryer shrank my sweater.
Diminish
(intransitive) To disappear gradually.
Shrink
(intransitive) To become smaller; to contract.
This garment will shrink when wet.
Diminish
(transitive) To take away; to subtract.
Shrink
(intransitive) To cower or flinch.
Molly shrank away from the blows of the whip.
Diminish
To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; - opposed to augment or increase.
Not diminish, but rather increase, the debt.
Shrink
(transitive) To draw back; to withdraw.
Diminish
To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
This doth nothing diminish their opinion.
I will diminish them, that they shall no more rule over the nations.
O thou . . . at whose sight all the starsHide their diminished heads.
Shrink
To withdraw or retire, as from danger.
Diminish
To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.
Shrink
(intransitive) To move back or away, especially because of fear or disgust.
Diminish
To take away; to subtract.
Neither shall ye diminish aught from it.
Shrink
Shrinkage; contraction; recoil.
Diminish
To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.
Shrink
A psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
You need to see a shrink, you crazy fool.
My shrink said that he was an enabler, bad for me.
Diminish
Decrease in size, extent, or range;
The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester
The cabin pressure fell dramatically
Her weight fall to under a hundred pounds
His voice fell to a whisper
Shrink
Loss of inventory, for example due to shoplifting or not selling items before their expiration date.
Diminish
Lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of;
Don't belittle your colleagues
Shrink
To wrinkle, bend, or curl; to shrivel; hence, to contract into a less extent or compass; to gather together; to become compacted.
And on a broken reed he still did stayHis feeble steps, which shrunk when hard thereon he lay.
I have not found that water, by mixture of ashes, will shrink or draw into less room.
Against this fire do I shrink up.
And shrink like parchment in consuming fire.
All the boards did shrink.
Shrink
To withdraw or retire, as from danger; to decline action from fear; to recoil, as in fear, horror, or distress.
What happier natures shrink at with affright,The hard inhabitant contends is right.
They assisted us against the Thebans when you shrank from the task.
Shrink
To express fear, horror, or pain by contracting the body, or part of it; to shudder; to quake.
Shrink
To cause to contract or shrink; as, to shrink finnel by imersing it in boiling water.
Shrink
To draw back; to withdraw.
The Libyc Hammon shrinks his horn.
Shrink
The act shrinking; shrinkage; contraction; also, recoil; withdrawal.
Yet almost wish, with sudden shrink,That I had less to praise.
Shrink
A psychiatrist.
Shrink
A physician who specializes in psychiatry
Shrink
Wither, especially with a loss of moisture;
The fruit dried and shriveled
Shrink
Draw back, as with fear or pain;
She flinched when they showed the slaughtering of the calf
Shrink
Reduce in size; reduce physically;
Hot water will shrink the sweater
Can you shrink this image?
Shrink
Become smaller or draw together;
The fabric shrank
The balloon shrank
Shrink
Decrease in size, range, or extent;
His earnings shrank
My courage shrivelled when I saw the task before me
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to diminish something?
To diminish something means to make it less in size, importance, or intensity.
How does shrink differ from diminish in usage?
Shrink is often used for physical reductions in size, whereas diminish can apply to both physical and abstract reductions.
Do both terms imply a negative connotation?
Both can carry negative connotations, but diminish often suggests a loss or reduction in quality or value, whereas shrink focuses on size.
Can emotional states diminish?
Yes, emotional states, like fear or love, can diminish over time.
Can diminish be used in a positive context?
Yes, for example, in reducing debt or diminishing worries.
Does diminish imply a permanent change?
Not necessarily; it can be temporary, especially in contexts like diminishing interest or attention.
Is shrink used metaphorically?
It can be, especially in expressions like "shrinking away from responsibilities."
Is it correct to say a company's profits diminished?
Yes, it implies the company's profits decreased over a period.
Can confidence shrink?
While less common, saying confidence shrinks is understood to mean it decreases, usually quickly or in response to something.
Is it appropriate to use diminish about physical objects?
Yes, but it's more common to use shrink when referring to physical size reduction.
What is a common cause for materials to shrink?
Exposure to heat is a common cause for materials to shrink.
How does shrink relate to fear or reluctance?
It metaphorically describes a person's reaction to fear or their hesitation to engage in something.
What's the difference in focus between diminish and shrink?
Diminish focuses on the process or effect of becoming less, while shrink emphasizes the act of contraction or reduction in size.
Can populations shrink?
Yes, populations can shrink due to factors like decreased birth rates or increased mortality.
Can both terms be used interchangeably?
While they can be similar in some contexts, their specific connotations and typical uses often distinguish them.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
