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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessen
When vegan eating becomes more mainstream, fewer animals will be bred for food, lessening the threat of a life-threatening outbreak and nationwide pandemic.
—
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Additional data shows that the lack of in person connection is quickly becoming a relationship crisis, with 78% of Bumble users sharing that anxiety and stress to present themselves as perfect lead to hopelessness in finding someone, which in turn has lessened the rates of offline relationships.
—Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
National regulations and multilateral agreements can help block mirror life, a biological threat, and to lessen the risk of biological threats being made with AI, the Bulletin said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Queta and Garza have held up well in their respective roles, lessening the Celtics’ need for center help.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Additional data shows that the lack of in person connection is quickly becoming a relationship crisis, with 78% of Bumble users sharing that anxiety and stress to present themselves as perfect lead to hopelessness in finding someone, which in turn has lessened the rates of offline relationships.
—Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026
National regulations and multilateral agreements can help block mirror life, a biological threat, and to lessen the risk of biological threats being made with AI, the Bulletin said.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
Queta and Garza have held up well in their respective roles, lessening the Celtics’ need for center help.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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This comes at a time when there has been talk of reducing the number of PGA tournaments on the calendar.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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The cross-border clearing platform could streamline operations, reducing risks in OTC trades that dominate the market.—
Sean Lee,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The rise of cloud computing in the 2010s forced Cisco to decrease its reliance on hardware networking equipment.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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All dogs in the shelter are receiving antibiotics to significantly decrease their chances of developing symptoms, according to the news release.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
January 30,
Sacbee.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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These gaps are weak spots that can spread inward, causing the crystal structure to degrade and ultimately reduce the cell’s efficiency.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
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The issue has intensified in recent years and is only set to get worse, as the relentless expansion of urban centres brings artificial light further into the countryside, permeating and degrading our view of the heavens.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, as time went on, these differentiators diminished.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
3 Feb. 2026
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Even though the software is extremely limited right now—people can explore their AI worlds for only one minute—investors worry the service may eventually diminish the influence of major studios.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In overwhelmingly Democratic districts, the outcome is almost always predetermined, further depressing turnout and weakening accountability.—
Grace Rauh,
New York Daily News,
3 Feb. 2026
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Healthy Rivers and Landscapes’ flexibility represents potentially weakened enforceable safeguards for environmental and tribal groups, as the program relies on voluntary commitments instead of mandatory flow standards.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The pain subsided gradually over a few weeks.—
Patricia Tortolani,
Allure,
29 Jan. 2026
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While many institutions framed those changes as temporary, a significant share of programs have kept test-optional policies in place well after the public health crisis subsided.—
Anna Esaki-Smith,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly once snow begins, and hazardous conditions could persist into Sunday morning before snow tapers off.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
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Travel conditions could deteriorate rapidly as early as Friday evening.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Some folks who were moving a little slow, some folks wanted to dilute the Canadiana or the Big C Canadian of it.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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In his decision, Pearlman determined that the current 11th district lines dilute the ability of minority voters to have a meaningful impact in electing a member of Congress.—
Jeffrey M. Wice,
New York Daily News,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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