Learn English – Is it okay to use the word “diminish” for a person

word-usage

In the following dialogue, is the second sentence correct?

"Thank you for not making fun of me."
"I would never mock you or diminish you."

I checked the Oxford dictionary and it defines diminish as Make or become less.

Can I use the word in reference to a person in this context?

Best Answer

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee."

My above quote referencing the use of diminish is from "For whom the bell tolls" written by John Donne, who lived from 1572 to 1631.

"Diminish" is rarely used in this context today, although it is valid. I would write your second sentence as

I would never mock you or put you down.

Or even

I would never mock you or disrespect you.

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