Thesaurus
Synonyms & Antonyms of lessen
1
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
- we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
Synonyms for lessen
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Antonyms for lessen
2
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
- the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication
Synonyms for lessen
- abate,
- de-escalate,
- decline,
- decrease,
- die (away or down or out),
- diminish,
- drain (away),
- drop (off),
- dwindle,
- ease,
- ebb,
- fall,
- fall away,
- let up,
- lower,
- moderate,
- pall,
- phase down,
- ratchet (down)
- also rachet (down),
- recede,
- relent,
- remit,
- shrink,
- subside,
- taper,
- taper off,
- wane
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Antonyms for lessen
3
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
- blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
Synonyms for lessen
- abase,
- bastardize,
- canker,
- cheapen,
- corrupt,
- debase,
- debauch,
- degrade,
- demean,
- demoralize,
- deprave,
- deteriorate,
- pervert,
- poison,
- profane,
- prostitute,
- subvert,
- vitiate,
- warp
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Antonyms for lessen
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for lessen
The first known use of lessen was in the 14th century
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