1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to decrease
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessen
Drinking it less often, enjoying it with meals or rinsing your mouth out with water after drinking may lessen such adverse effects.
—
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
As a result, the governing agencies restrict potential exposure to lessen the possibility of these long-term impacts.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025
MasterCraft adds up to a five-degree taper to the parts to lessen friction and adherence.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
Foods that contain fiber may promote a healthy gut and lessen your risk of developing gastrointestinal problems.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Daryl Austin, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
As a result, the governing agencies restrict potential exposure to lessen the possibility of these long-term impacts.
—Chad Murphy, Cincinnati Enquirer, 24 Sep. 2025
MasterCraft adds up to a five-degree taper to the parts to lessen friction and adherence.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
Foods that contain fiber may promote a healthy gut and lessen your risk of developing gastrointestinal problems.
—Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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To reduce the risk of mosquito bites and West Nile virus, health officials recommend using insect repellent and wearing long sleeves and long pants when outdoors, especially during peak mosquito activity at dawn and dusk.—
Caroline Neal,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
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Autos Are an Economic Anchor China’s bold move into electric vehicles began in 2009 as a top-down policy to compete with foreign automakers, cut air pollution and reduce oil imports.—
Rebecca A. Fannin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Steam decreased 33 percent and gas consumption decreased 12 percent—both due to more consistent production flows.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
26 Sep. 2025
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Austin, Denver have seen rents decrease Such arguments aren’t just economics textbook ideas, say Horowitz and other observers.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, disease and human activity, such as pollution, have severely degraded Florida's reefs, according to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
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The team’s goal is to track and predict how asphalt roads degrade.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zeldin’s cuts have diminished the EPA’s staffing levels, even before Congress has had a chance to weigh in, affecting the environment, public health and government transparency.—
Chris Sellers,
The Conversation,
29 Sep. 2025
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Though the region’s trade reliance on Washington has rapidly diminished as China has become its biggest market, several nations still rely on the US for a large share of their exports, the loss of which would put millions of livelihoods at risk.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And, in the process, weakening the ability of American tech companies, many of them based in California, to achieve their goals.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
26 Sep. 2025
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Winds will continue to weaken later in the afternoon, while flooding across the high terrain in the Central Azores is also expected to subside.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The big number arrives, characters emote, high notes ring and ring and ring again … and the aria subsides unmemorably, without leaving the ozone tang that signals a bolt of musical lightning.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
30 Sep. 2025
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Herro received platelet-rich plasma and cortisone injections in hopes of avoiding surgery, but the discomfort never subsided and surgery was deemed necessary to avoid more issues down the road.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Officials chose Dillow for closure because the building’s condition was rapidly deteriorating due to a water leak.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Sep. 2025
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Farley, a former New York City health commissioner who teaches at Tulane University, acknowledged that many factors contribute to falls, including the physical impairments and deteriorating eyesight associated with advancing age; alcohol abuse; and tripping hazards in people’s homes.—
Paula Span,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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However, the latter half of the season feels meandering, with overstuffed episodes diluting the impact of the plot.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
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Chaos is sorted into appreciable story arcs without diluting its overwhelming effect on our heroes.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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