1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessen
The act has inadvertently compelled pre-16 youth to break laws for social media access, often without parental knowledge, and may have prompted some parents to lessen their own vigilance.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Earlier models showed the potential for another tornado outbreak in the Chicago area less than a week after 13 tornado touchdowns were confirmed in the south and southwest suburbs and Northwest Indiana, but a cold front has lessened the threat and pushed it further south.
—
Laura Bannon,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
The cars are used for tests of cars' crashworthiness, or how well a vehicle protects occupants in a crash, and the performance of crash avoidance technologies that are designed to prevent crashes or lessen their severity.
—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
This creates a gradual increase in blood sugar, which lessens the amount of insulin your body needs to help regulate it.
—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lessen
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Earlier models showed the potential for another tornado outbreak in the Chicago area less than a week after 13 tornado touchdowns were confirmed in the south and southwest suburbs and Northwest Indiana, but a cold front has lessened the threat and pushed it further south.
—
Laura Bannon,
CBS News,
17 June 2026
The cars are used for tests of cars' crashworthiness, or how well a vehicle protects occupants in a crash, and the performance of crash avoidance technologies that are designed to prevent crashes or lessen their severity.
—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
This creates a gradual increase in blood sugar, which lessens the amount of insulin your body needs to help regulate it.
—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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New flyover ramps connecting to I-95 would also be built, while sound barriers would be installed along both sides of the corridor to help reduce traffic noise for nearby residents.
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The rich treatment balances strengthening plant proteins with nourishing rosehip and sweet almond oils to reduce breakage and replenish moisture.
Verb
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
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Yet burnout is associated with emotional exhaustion, cynicism, reduced motivation, sleep problems, and decreased enjoyment of previously pleasurable activities.
Verb
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This involves sealing all cracks, crevices and entry points with materials that won't degrade over time.
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Batteries degrade, actuators wear out, sensors drift, and every safety case has to hold.
Verb
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The weight that was added to the structure over its lifetime diminished the building’s margins against failure, the report said.
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Louden points out that sometimes an English word strengthens and diversifies the Pennsylvania Dutch lexicon rather than diminishes it.
Verb
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Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images BEIJING — China’s consumer spending slowdown persisted in June, with growth during one of the country’s largest online shopping festivals weakening sharply from a year earlier.
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All three of those protagonists have been weakened in their roles by what has gone on.
Verb
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Shinnecock Hills did its part, even after the strongest wind subsided.
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While the most intense combat has subsided, Israeli forces have continued launching airstrikes and opening fire on Palestinians, leaving more than 1,000 people dead since the ceasefire began in October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
Verb
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For the decades after the historic Old Soldiers’ Home was shut down in the 1970s, the two-thirds of the campus north of Wilshire Boulevard remained a collection of vacant deteriorating buildings and residential programs for physical and mental health recovery.
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However, the strategy itself has been flawed, often prioritizing roads in excellent condition while allowing moderately deteriorating streets to fail completely.
Verb
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In return, Tehran has reiterated its longstanding pledge not to build a nuclear weapon, promised to dilute near weapons-grade uranium, and agreed to unblock the Strait of Hormuz – concessions that don’t go significantly beyond its prewar offers.
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Alphabet went the other way and issued stock, which dilutes existing shareholders but adds no fixed interest bill to meet whether or not the AI bet pays off.
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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