To diminish; become less; shrink; waste or consume away: with by or from before the cause, and to, in, or into before the effect or result: as, the body dwindles by pining or consumption; an estate dwindles from waste; an object dwindles in size as it recedes from view; from its constant exposure, the regiment dwindled to a skeleton.To degenerate; sink; fall away in quality.Synonyms Diminish, etc. (see decrease); attenuate, become attenuated, decline, fall off, fall away.n. Gradual decline or decrease; a wasting away; degeneracy; decline.