Dictionary
Definition
- adjective
- adverb
- adjective 2
- Synonyms
- Example Sentences
- Word History
- Phrases Containing
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Synonyms
Examples of lesser in a Sentence
Adjective
The winner will receive $100; lesser amounts will be given to three runners-up.
A lesser man than he might have simply given up.
She agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
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Adjective
Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
—Staff Writer
follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 31 Jan. 2023
Adverb
Donate lesser used decorations so everything fits easily in the storage room in January.
—Amy Slenker-Smith, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
But the team uses a Ferrari engine and is lesser known to American fans.
—Sahil Kapur, NBC News, 25 Nov. 2024
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Word History
Phrases Containing lesser
Dictionary Entries Near lesser
Cite this Entry
“Lesser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesser. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
lesser
1 of 2 adjective
less·er
ˈles-ər
: of smaller size or importance
lesser
2 of 2 adverbLegal Definition
lesser
adjective
less·er
ˈle-sər
: of less size, quality, degree, or significance
specifically
: of lower criminal liability
duress has been held a good defense to such lesser crimes as robbery, burglary and malicious mischief —W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
More from Merriam-Webster on lesser
Nglish: Translation of lesser for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of lesser for Arabic Speakers
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