Difference between reduce and diminish

These verbs are synonyms: decrease, lessen, reduce, dwindle, abate, diminish, subside

You can explore all their differences here: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/decrease

If you want to use one of these in your own sentence, post your sentence and we will help you to select the

With each passing hour the likelihood of finding any survivors diminished/reduced/shortened/finished

With each passing hour the likelihood of finding any survivors diminished.

Are you doing some English vocabulary homework?

No I am preparing for a competitive exam.

Please explain me the reason why diminished should be used and not reduced.

Also when to use what.Its very confusing because both seem identical.

Reduce is mainly used as a transitive verb with an agent that performs the reduction.

A wise manager reduces all prices a week before they have to do an inventory.

Diminish is used as an intransitive verb with no agent.

Although both may fit this sentence, the intransitive form is better. There is no agent, except the passage of time.