lessen

verb

less·​en ˈle-sᵊn 

lessened; lessening ˈle-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈles-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease

The pain will lessen over time.

transitive verb

1

: to reduce in size, extent, or degree

lessen tensions between nations

2

a

archaic : to represent as of little value

b

: to lower in status or dignity : degrade

Synonyms of lessen

• reduce
• decrease

Choose the Right Synonym for lessen

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less.

decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Examples of lessen in a Sentence

Medication helps lessen the severity of the symptoms.

we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect

Recent Examples on the Web

To lessen the risk of detention, Alfonso has changed his daily routine and has stopped going to church or the beach, which used to be his favorite things to do. — Marisa Peñaloza, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026

At face value, moving some of Amazon’s activities into space to lessen its carbon footprint may seem environmentally desirable. — Marissa E. Yingling, The Conversation, 12 Aug. 2026

Drinking less alcohol may lessen next-day effects but zebra striping cannot eliminate hangovers entirely. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026

The companies say that the partnership is also designed to lessen the burden for business owners with resolving complex financial issues and eliminates the task of managing separate applications for bookkeeping, invoicing, banking, and cash flow. — Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for lessen

• cresson
• lesson
• delicatessen
• vasopressin

Kids Definition

lessen

verb

less·​en ˈles-ᵊn 

lessened; lessening ˈles-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become less