In a statement to journalists on Friday, Erdogan appeared to suggest the sentences could be diminished through an appeals process.

CNN: Turkish court issues sentences in coup-plot case

But the Pakistan Cricket Board are concerned that the importance of the rivalry could be diminished by playing too often.

BBC: SPORT | Cricket | International Teams | Pakistan | India cleared for Test in Karachi

But MPs have expressed fears that public participation in 2012 could be diminished by a predominant emphasis on the elite athletes' involvement.

BBC: Beijing 2008 - a hard act to follow?

The overall incidence of smoking related disease could be sharply diminished.

FORBES: FDA's New Tobacco Scheme, And Its Legislative Underpinnings, May Go Up In Smoke

Charities and tax advisers are urging donors to use an additional tax break employed by Warren Buffett and other wealthy taxpayers that could disappear or be diminished in a fiscal agreement.

WSJ: Fiscal Talks Spur Charitable Giving

Some of these issues could be eliminated or at least diminished by using a market-based strategy to distribute work visas.

FORBES: Why Market Based Immigration is America's Best Bet

And if the diminished Republican Party hopes to win back that Hispanic support, it could be harder for them to oppose it.

NPR: Hispanic Turnout May Spur Immigration Overhaul