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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Man therefore is relieved of responsibility, his inspiration dies, his pride is hurt, and his ambition lessened or killed.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
However, Akers said, since the work began, more extensive vandalism has been brought to a halt and graffiti has lessened.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Of course, Warren is far from altogether Oscar-less, having picked up an honorary Academy Award at the Governors Award in 2022, although that has not dampened her enthusiasm to win a competitive trophy… or lessened the Academy’s eagerness to put her in a near-miss position year after year.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Hyland’s emergence, the trade for Dosunmu and the buyout addition of Kyle Anderson have solidified a paper-thin back end of the roster and lessened the burden on Minnesota’s top six players.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Today’s parents grew up in a world where vaccines averted preventable diseases, or at least lessened the toll of those illnesses if infection occurred.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
And how can these problems be solved—or at least lessened?
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 1 Mar. 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
But large-scale remedies, such as finding alternative sources of revenue like a general tax increase to offset property tax cuts, are less likely when lawmakers and Pritzker are seeking reelection — though political pressures are lessened after the November general election in a lame-duck session.
—Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
Man therefore is relieved of responsibility, his inspiration dies, his pride is hurt, and his ambition lessened or killed.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
However, Akers said, since the work began, more extensive vandalism has been brought to a halt and graffiti has lessened.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Of course, Warren is far from altogether Oscar-less, having picked up an honorary Academy Award at the Governors Award in 2022, although that has not dampened her enthusiasm to win a competitive trophy… or lessened the Academy’s eagerness to put her in a near-miss position year after year.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
Hyland’s emergence, the trade for Dosunmu and the buyout addition of Kyle Anderson have solidified a paper-thin back end of the roster and lessened the burden on Minnesota’s top six players.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Today’s parents grew up in a world where vaccines averted preventable diseases, or at least lessened the toll of those illnesses if infection occurred.
—Helen Branswell, STAT, 2 Mar. 2026
And how can these problems be solved—or at least lessened?
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
-
The character, played by Esteban Andres Cruz, has been reduced to a simpering stereotype who makes a pass at a cop and mimics a blow job.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Seen from this perspective, ecology cannot be reduced to questions of proximity alone.—
Manuela Moscoso,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the past forty years, men’s wages have decreased as a percentage of over-all family income, while broader wealth inequalities and job insecurity have grown.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
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In two of six Minneapolis areas, overall crime decreased 43% and 56% respectively, while, in all other areas, overall crime rose.—
Eric Adler
March 29,
Kansas City Star,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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But, Scanlon noted, the budget was weakened by federal policy changes.—
Keith M. Phaneuf,
Hartford Courant,
2 Apr. 2026
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Shipping and insurance costs, inflation and uncertainty are on the rise, and with currencies in developing countries now weakened, imports such as fuel and food are even more expensive for residents.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
1 Apr. 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
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More elderly people could find themselves at the mercy of an obscure government program meant to save them from harm and preserve their dignity when their ability to take care of themselves is diminished.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
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But with the chances of a Fed rate cut later this year highly diminished now and, with the reality that a cut (if it is issued) is likely to be by just 25 basis points, these estimates are unlikely to change dramatically, either.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Conspicuous cracks had developed along the building’s outside walls as exterior stucco deteriorated.—
Karen Kucher,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Market deterioration Markets have deteriorated over the past few days.—
Matt Peterson,
CNBC,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Does Herb Sendek have it in him to elevate the Broncos to the top consistently in a depleted conference?—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
27 Mar. 2026
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New research highlights areas in California and elsewhere that have managed to raise depleted water tables.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Workers discovered a grave containing human remains beneath tiles after part of the floor of St Peter and Paul Church subsided in February, triggering a race to identify the skeleton through DNA testing.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
26 Mar. 2026
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Government officials say new detentions have subsided since then, as the number of ICE officers in Minnesota has receded from a high of around 3,000 to close to their previous levels of over 100.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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