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

In this phase, the brain still works to reorganize itself, although that process slows and cortical thickness begins to lessen. —New Atlas, 25 Nov. 2025

Before the pandemic, the annual box office would regularly hit $11 billion, but the post-pandemic goal has lessened to $9 billion. —Lindsey Bahr, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025

At Arc Broward — an organization that offers support and schooling for people with disabilities — Mason’s teacher, Licebuth Seijas, tries to lessen that burden during school days, accompanying the 3-year-old to his therapies and working one-on-one with him. —Alexandra Phelps, Miami Herald, 24 Nov. 2025

On June 9, Kennedy, a longtime skeptic of vaccine policies, dismissed all 17 members of the committee that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine recommendations for children and adults to prevent or lessen sickness and death. —Beth Warren, Nashville Tennessean, 22 Nov. 2025

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