But the sharp selloff in the American stock and bond markets threatened to diminish demand for dollars by foreign investors.

A lower dollar would tend to diminish demand for securities denominated in dollars.

A weak euro makes that harder, because it increases the price of imported goods and diminishes European demand for them.

Summonses could have been issued to those in possession of the stolen property to diminish demand.

Lower rates in Germany would tend to diminish demand for marks, weakening the mark against the dollar.

The economic slowdown that has already diminished demand among marketers is being made worse by the effects of the terrorist attacks.

President Bush has said that largely because of budget restrictions, he wanted to do more to diminish demand than to reduce supplies.

The recent turmoil in Asia has diminished demand for oil in what used to be the fastest-growing energy market in the world.

A rate cut would diminish demand for marks and indirectly bolster the dollar's value.

The elimination of the investment tax credit and the longer schedule for depreciation could diminish demand from the construction industry.