diminishing

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/

/dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ/

Other forms: diminishingly

Diminishing means becoming smaller and smaller. While diminishing pain is a good thing, diminishing returns on your investment are not so welcome.

Diminishing comes from the Latin word minuere — "to make small." The "law of diminishing returns" refers to the tendency at a certain point for continued effort in an area to begin producing a smaller and smaller result. You might enjoy eating one Sour Patch candy, but if you eat a whole package of them and feel sick? Then, you have come face-to-face with the law of diminishing returns.

Definitions of diminishing

1. adjective

   becoming smaller or less or appearing to do so
   “diminishing returns”

   “his diminishing respect for her”

   synonyms:

   decreasing

   becoming less or smaller