as in diminished
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1
as in reduced
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreased
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakened
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessened
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
After taking a lessened role in 2025, Texas Tech cornerback Maurion Horn will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining, per multiple reports.
—Ty Kaplan, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
An overloaded dryer leads to lessened airflow and, therefore, extended dry time.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Laura Bannon, CBS News, 17 June 2026
But having agreed a 12-month extension for Schar — the 34-year-old has accepted a reduced salary and is willing to take on more of a backup role, having missed the second half of 2025-26 due to injury — the need to acquire a promising defender has lessened.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Late Monday, officials allowed 65% of evacuees to return home, saying the threat of a catastrophic blast from the overheated container at GKN Aerospace had lessened.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
His anxieties about other issues have lessened but this is as strong as ever.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
During these 10 years, the logical assumption is that children born in this era would have grown up in a time where Japanese anime was under more scrutiny and lessened in popularity.
—Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
His workload lessened after that, especially with travel taking a toll.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
At the same time, the company’s lofty talk of space exploration beyond the moon, especially of Mars, has notably lessened.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Democrats said one of the biggest benefits is that tax increases will likely be lessened in many cities and towns because of the additional funding that the municipalities will receive.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Adjective
Kuminga then saw a combination of injuries and uneven performances lead to lessened playing time before eventually falling out of the rotation altogether.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
After taking a lessened role in 2025, Texas Tech cornerback Maurion Horn will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining, per multiple reports.
—Ty Kaplan, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
An overloaded dryer leads to lessened airflow and, therefore, extended dry time.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
Earlier models showed the potential for another tornado outbreak in the Chicago area less than a week after 13 tornado touchdowns were confirmed in the south and southwest suburbs and Northwest Indiana, but a cold front has lessened the threat and pushed it further south.
—Laura Bannon, CBS News, 17 June 2026
But having agreed a 12-month extension for Schar — the 34-year-old has accepted a reduced salary and is willing to take on more of a backup role, having missed the second half of 2025-26 due to injury — the need to acquire a promising defender has lessened.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2026
Late Monday, officials allowed 65% of evacuees to return home, saying the threat of a catastrophic blast from the overheated container at GKN Aerospace had lessened.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 26 May 2026
His anxieties about other issues have lessened but this is as strong as ever.
—R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 18 May 2026
During these 10 years, the logical assumption is that children born in this era would have grown up in a time where Japanese anime was under more scrutiny and lessened in popularity.
—Kalai Chik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
His workload lessened after that, especially with travel taking a toll.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
At the same time, the company’s lofty talk of space exploration beyond the moon, especially of Mars, has notably lessened.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Democrats said one of the biggest benefits is that tax increases will likely be lessened in many cities and towns because of the additional funding that the municipalities will receive.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Adjective
-
Nienhuis said Billy Mansfield previously indicated there could be more bodies in Hernando, Pasco and Pinellas counties, but investigators were unable to reach an agreement that would have provided additional information in exchange for reduced charges.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
24 June 2026
-
Drive at a reduced speed during wet weather.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 June 2026
Verb
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In March, a nurse assessed Parias for complaints of increasing pain, and the nurse noted decreased mobility, prompting the nurse to submit a referral for an orthopedic evaluation, as well as additional medications.—
Ximena Bustillo,
NPR,
20 June 2026
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This year, a census report compiled by Nutmeg Consulting found that the homeless sheltered population increased by around 17%, while the number of people living outside decreased by almost 50%.—
Ginny Monk,
Hartford Courant,
20 June 2026
Verb
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But Kesselring’s role was further diminished when Buffalo acquired defensemen Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn from the Winnipeg Jets at the trade deadline in March.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
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Since then, our evenings have been brighter and our melatonin diminished.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 June 2026
Verb
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At the same time, his ability in recent months to command functioning majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives has weakened considerably.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
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The study finds that auto-renewal generated higher revenue in the medium term, but the advantage weakened as the subscriber count and engagement picture deteriorated.—
HEC Paris Insights,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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In Stoddart’s estimation, the best way to freeze these semi-consumed cakes is in slices.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Shinnecock Hills did its part, even after the strongest wind subsided.—
Doug Ferguson,
Los Angeles Times,
21 June 2026
-
While the most intense combat has subsided, Israeli forces have continued launching airstrikes and opening fire on Palestinians, leaving more than 1,000 people dead since the ceasefire began in October, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.—
Mirna Alsharif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Verb
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The Downfall and Freefall documentaries argue that Boeing’s company culture deteriorated as company execs prioritized profits and a rising share price over safety.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
19 June 2026
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By 2024, his health had deteriorated to the point of requiring continuous oxygen, leading to his evaluation for a groundbreaking dual-organ transplant under the HOPE Act.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Wall Street firms comfortably penciled in $150 oil or worse, and then projected a slow decline due to depleted inventories.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
23 June 2026
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The expense in dollars and depleted military ordnance is enormous, and the physical and human destruction in Iran is huge.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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