lessened 1 of 2

lessened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of lessen
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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lessened
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
Though the rate of killing has lessened today, with some states restricting the shooting of prairie dogs, they’re still widely considered pests among ranchers. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026 There were three rookie quarterbacks starting the opener in three of the previous five seasons as teams have become quicker to turn over the reins as the differences between the college and pro games have lessened. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 However, nearly everything about the American approach to these concerns has lessened European confidence in Washington’s leadership and decision making. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026 It's become harder for NFL scouts to evaluate a prospect's hunger, but the fears of how players will react to making money have lessened. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The safety concerns that come with bipedal robots—such as potentially falling over on a human worker—are lessened because a shipyard environment is staffed with workers who are trained to work around potentially dangerous industrial equipment. — Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026 Rutherford shares that, until now, a voyage like his would not have been possible, but warmer climates globally have drastically lessened the ice in the Arctic. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Likewise, the respite afforded by the twin hydration breaks has also reduced the need for improvised periods of gentlemanly repose, which in turn has lessened the demand for the chilly spray. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026 The decision doesn’t automatically remove him from the Cy Young conversation, but his workload, lessened by the six-man rotation, was already the biggest adjustment to his campaign. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Adjective
  • For example, the national median home price increased about 2% year-over-year as of August, suggesting that homes are becoming more expensive and seemingly at odds with reduced demand from buyers.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Zimbabwe is among several African nations resisting Washington’s push to replace broad health assistance with country-by-country agreements emphasizing domestic financing and reduced donor dependence.
    — Farai Mutsaka, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Rooms Since its 2023 renovation, the hotel’s capacity decreased from 104 rooms to just 80, made up of 44 rooms and 36 suites, all of which have gained a generous amount of space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The results revealed that the device’s electrical behavior changed consistently as the humidity decreased.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Gallery owners say years of mixed signals and the prospect of construction threaten a center already diminished by vacancies — and fear tenants may never come back.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Likewise, the failure to hire an effective leader for the Blockchain Association has diminished the industry’s influence in the Capitol.
    — Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Whichever one remains standing will be wounded and weakened, and the human forces can then finish that monster off.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Sep. 2026
  • From May through August, when technology weakened, other sectors stepped up, allowing RSP to continue higher and eventually reach the upside target from its own inverse head-and-shoulders pattern.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Kennedy’s new pyramid places meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables at the top (most consumed), and tapers down through fruits and vegetables to whole grains.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • In Stoddart’s estimation, the best way to freeze these semi-consumed cakes is in slices.
    — Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 2 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • These features are interpreted as evidence of faulting along the caldera rim as the floor subsided.
    — Yook Ji Hun, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
  • But her worries subsided on the day of, after seeing Hunnam rigged up and spewing.
    — Marina Watts, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • David and his brother Mark, who shared power of attorney, said in an interview that their mother's memory deteriorated further after a head injury in a 2019 car collision.
    — Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Americans’ assessments of both current and future economic conditions deteriorated and more said a recession is likely in the next 12 months.
    — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The White House and the Pentagon have downplayed concerns about depleted weapons inventories.
    — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026
  • Research shows that willpower is a finite resource that becomes depleted throughout the day.
    — Dr. Erika Rasure, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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