Synonyms of lessen

lessen

verb

ˈle-sᵊn 

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

• reduce
• decrease
• diminish
• minimize
• deplete
• lower
• ease
• abate
• dwindle
• dent
• downsize
• cut
• slash
• compress
• knock down
• drop
• shorten
• curtail
• downscale
• shrink
• de-escalate
• constrict
• pare
• cut down
• abridge
• whittle
• condense
• cut back
• retrench
• trim
• truncate
• abbreviate
• modulate
• modify
• prune
• crop
• dock
• deflate
• contract
• nick
• moderate
• clip
• qualify

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• expand
• augment
• raise
• enlarge
• amplify
• boost
• escalate
• extend
• prolong
• swell
• lengthen
• inflate
• add (to)
• enhance
• dilate
• supplement
• complement
• intensify
• elongate
• blow up
• aggrandize
• heighten
• distend
• protract
• redouble

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

• decrease
• diminish
• subside
• ease
• fall
• shrink
• decline
• vanish
• moderate
• die (away or down or out)
• ebb
• weaken
• recede
• dwindle
• drop (off)
• lower
• taper
• relent
• wane
• fall away
• abate
• drain (away)
• pall
• taper off
• phase down
• evaporate
• alleviate
• remit
• let up
• ratchet (down)
• rachet (down)
• de-escalate
• constrict
• compress
• fade (away)
• tail (off)
• slow (down)
• condense
• collapse
• slacken
• relax
• give out
• melt (away)
• contract
• peter (out)
• fritter (away)
• sink
• deflate
• cave (in)
• flag

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increase
• intensify
• grow
• build
• expand
• rise
• accumulate
• enlarge
• escalate
• swell
• mount
• appear
• soar
• pick up
• emerge
• wax
• show up
• snowball
• lengthen
• burgeon
• mushroom
• balloon
• elongate
• blow up
• distend

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

• degrade
• weaken
• deteriorate
• dilute
• subvert
• humiliate
• poison
• demean
• corrupt
• damage
• destroy
• cheapen
• debase
• ruin
• vitiate
• abase
• debauch
• mar
• impair
• hurt
• pervert
• deprave
• pollute
• harm
• demoralize
• taint
• shame
• bastardize
• disgrace
• warp
• contaminate
• canker
• prostitute
• dirty
• humble
• spoil
• profane
• thin
• water down
• tarnish
• wreck
• dishonor
• flaw
• defile
• stain
• befoul
• begrime
• depreciate
• descend
• take down
• deface
• downgrade
• blemish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improve
• elevate
• better
• enhance
• uplift
• honor
• ameliorate
• exalt
• perfect
• amend
• enrich
• ennoble
• restore
• clarify
• refine
• dignify
• purify
• clean
• cleanse
• respect
• meliorate

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lessen differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lessen are abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When can abate be used instead of lessen?

The meanings of abate and lessen largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When is decrease a more appropriate choice than lessen?

The words decrease and lessen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

In what contexts can diminish take the place of lessen?

Although the words diminish and lessen have much in common, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

Where would dwindle be a reasonable alternative to lessen?

While the synonyms dwindle and lessen are close in meaning, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When might reduce be a better fit than lessen?

The words reduce and lessen can be used in similar contexts, but reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lessen

Rain chances While there’s a chance for a fourth heat advisory Saturday the likelihood is lessening given rain is in the forecast. — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026

Over the last few years, Bordeaux has undergone intense efforts to plant additional trees; this provides more shade for vineyards, which hypothetically could lessen the impact of rising temperatures on grapes. — Kate Dingwall, Bon Appetit Magazine, 31 July 2026

To push back, Julien Pouille, who leads the climate and health strategic team and is lead author of the report, argues that lessening reliance on petrochemical products would help mitigate rising medicine costs and improve the climate. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 30 July 2026

Although neither would justify a homicide, experts believe the defense could be laying the foundation for a self-defense or crime-of-passion argument that could lessen the murder charge to manslaughter. — Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026