less 1 of 2

Definition of lessnext

less

2 of 2

preposition

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of less
Adjective
While two of the Heat’s first three losses to the Celtics this season were by five points or less, Wednesday’s defeat was by double digits. Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026 The 15-year-old was taken to a local hospital and died less than an hour later, according to police. Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Apr. 2026
Preposition
Get ready for a lot less facial hair on your television. Megan Friedman, Country Living, 17 Nov. 2016 See All Example Sentences for less
Recent Examples of Synonyms for less
Adjective
  • Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.
    Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Preposition
  • His net rating with independents stands at minus 45 points.
    Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Durabook has unveiled the Z14I-HG, a fully rugged mobile workstation packing 682 TOPS (trillion operations per second) of AI power inside a magnesium-alloy shell built to survive everything from minus 29 °C (-20 °F) frozen tundra to plus 63 °C (145 °F) desert heat and direct sandstorm exposure.
    Omar Kardoudi March 31, New Atlas, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.
    Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
  • Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.
    Frank Witsil, Detroit Free Press, 19 June 2023
Preposition
  • At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.
    Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2020
  • The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.
    NBC News, NBC News, 1 June 2020

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Cite this Entry

“Less.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/less. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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