diminished

The word “diminished” means made smaller, weaker, or less important than before. In plain terms, reduced in size, strength, or importance — or, in music, a chord/interval shrunk by a half-step.

“Diminished” is pronounced dih-MIH-nihsht (/dɪˈmɪnɪʃt/ in IPA).

Here is “diminished” used in a sentence: “He returned from the injury with a noticeably diminished ability to sprint.”

Words with a similar meaning to “diminished” include lessened and reduced.

The opposite of “diminished” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of and augmented.

“Diminished” is an adjective.

“Diminished” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Diminished” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made smaller, weaker, or less important than before.

"Diminished" and "decreased" both describe something made smaller or weaker, but "diminished" often carries a connotation of loss in importance, status, or quality, such as "diminished authority." "Decreased" is more neutral and commonly used for measurable quantities, such as decreased sales figures.

In music, "diminished" describes an interval or chord lowered by a semitone from its normal size, such as a diminished fifth or diminished seventh chord. This technical use is distinct from the general sense of something being made smaller or weaker.

Yes, "diminished responsibility" is a recognized legal concept in some jurisdictions referring to a partial defense in which a defendant's mental state is considered to have reduced their culpability for an offense. This specialized legal use draws on the general meaning of "diminished" as made weaker or less than before.