diminish (diminishes 3rd person present) (diminishing present participle) (diminished past tense & past participle )
1 verb When something diminishes, or when something diminishes it, it becomes reduced in size, importance, or intensity., (Antonym: increase)
The threat of nuclear war has diminished... V
2 verb If you diminish someone or something, you talk about them or treat them in a way that makes them appear less important than they really are.
He never put her down or diminished her... V n