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.
Recent Examples on the Web
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
To successfully reap such benefits, your business should prepare for greater integration through a three-fold approach focusing on business practices, people and to a lesser extent, government.
—Alberto Villarreal, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Many landlords see renting to single women alone or in groups (and single men, to a lesser extent) as a risk — to the stability of families, to the reputations of neighborhoods.
—Damien Cave, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2023
To a lesser extent, food and commodity prices also matter.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2023
Women from the east Baltic region and, to a lesser extent, the British and Irish isles contributed more to the gene pool of Scandinavia than the men from those regions during that time.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2023
Russian forces use commercial drones, too, but to a lesser extent.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022
Getting infected with the virus itself also triggers the process, but to a lesser extent.
—Alice Park, Time, 13 Dec. 2022
Leah Asmelash, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
However, the country is overflowing with several wine regions that are lesser known.
—Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
There were others that were lesser known, too, like Dino Sajudin, a former Trump World Tower doorman who claimed that Trump had a love child with one of the building’s employees; the story was never published, and Sajudin was paid $30,000 to keep quiet about it.
—Lachlan Cartwright, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
There are so many stories from Greek mythology that have become ubiquitous, like Medusa, or the Minotaur – and there are stories that are a little bit lesser known.
—Diya Chacko, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2024
Or to give a boost to some of the younger and lesser known of them?
—Will Heinrich, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
As a result of their long-term hiatus, Shakti is lesser known among younger audiences but with present-day academy recognition—and a 50th anniversary world tour last year—they could be set to return to global prominence.
—TIME, 5 Feb. 2024
But what is lesser known is how that fire in her belly came to be.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2024
Last Week Ukraine Aid Package Blocked What is lesser known, however, is why the war in Ukraine is important to America.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
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
To successfully reap such benefits, your business should prepare for greater integration through a three-fold approach focusing on business practices, people and to a lesser extent, government.
—Alberto Villarreal, Forbes, 26 Jan. 2023
Many landlords see renting to single women alone or in groups (and single men, to a lesser extent) as a risk — to the stability of families, to the reputations of neighborhoods.
—Damien Cave, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2023
To a lesser extent, food and commodity prices also matter.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2023
Women from the east Baltic region and, to a lesser extent, the British and Irish isles contributed more to the gene pool of Scandinavia than the men from those regions during that time.
—Julia Musto, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2023
Russian forces use commercial drones, too, but to a lesser extent.
—Luke Mogelson, The New Yorker, 26 Dec. 2022
Getting infected with the virus itself also triggers the process, but to a lesser extent.
—Alice Park, Time, 13 Dec. 2022
Adverb
The last of the three legends may be lesser known, but her work is just as important.
—Leah Asmelash, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024
However, the country is overflowing with several wine regions that are lesser known.
—Patrice J. Williams, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
There were others that were lesser known, too, like Dino Sajudin, a former Trump World Tower doorman who claimed that Trump had a love child with one of the building’s employees; the story was never published, and Sajudin was paid $30,000 to keep quiet about it.
—Lachlan Cartwright, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024
There are so many stories from Greek mythology that have become ubiquitous, like Medusa, or the Minotaur – and there are stories that are a little bit lesser known.
—Diya Chacko, Orange County Register, 13 Feb. 2024
Or to give a boost to some of the younger and lesser known of them?
—Will Heinrich, New York Times, 7 Feb. 2024
As a result of their long-term hiatus, Shakti is lesser known among younger audiences but with present-day academy recognition—and a 50th anniversary world tour last year—they could be set to return to global prominence.
—TIME, 5 Feb. 2024
But what is lesser known is how that fire in her belly came to be.
—Steve Hartman, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2024
Last Week Ukraine Aid Package Blocked What is lesser known, however, is why the war in Ukraine is important to America.
—Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lesser.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near lesser
Cite this Entry
“Lesser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesser. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share