rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydwindleGradual decrease
verb

dwindle

DWIN-duhl/ˈdwɪndl/

To gradually become smaller, fewer, or weaker.

The burning candle dwindles to a stub amid melted wax.

A text-free four-stage sequence shows the same burning candle gradually dwindling from tall to a tiny stub, with progressively more melted wax around its base.
Etymology
dwindEnglishto waste or pine away
+leEnglishsmall or repeated action

Dwindle is apparently formed from dwine, “waste or pine away,” with an ending suggesting small or repeated action. The image of wasting away underlies its sense of gradually becoming less.

In context

KTLA 54:53
FLOODING ADVISORY THAT THE WEATHER SERVICE PUT INTO EFFECT. IS NOW GOING TO EXPIRE AT 11 O'CLOCK TONIGHT, SO PERHAPS ALL THIS WAVE ACTION FROM HURRICANE MARIA IS BEGINNING TO DWINDLE A LITTLE BIT
SoCal coast continues to be impacted by high surf, flooding 

More examples

  • The crowd dwindles as people head home.
  • Her enthusiasm dwindled after several setbacks.
  • Our savings are dwindling to almost nothing.

Forms

dwindle · dwindles · dwindled · dwindling

Similar words

decrease
Decrease does not necessarily suggest a gradual or continuing change.
diminish
Diminish can describe a reduction without implying steady progression.
shrink
Shrink usually emphasizes a reduction in physical size or volume.