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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in diminished
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessened
Kevin Williams, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
For example, with credit card fraud detection, the cost for each undetected fraudulent transaction might be lessened if the bank has fraud insurance or if the bank's enforcement activities recoup some fraud losses downstream.
—Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
There were initial fears of Richard possibly losing his leg, but these were quickly lessened as the surgery went on, Grotakku said.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
As though the word defined or lessened their degree of responsibility.
—Uriel Kon
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
This component is meant to kick in once the pain has lessened.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Knox said that his agency over her life lessened upon meeting him.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Our resolve to prosecute crime is not lessened by defective DC code statutes, as the DOJ works to change those statutes.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025
Some of that has lessened as residents have become more ecologically conscious, especially along the Waukegan River which flows eastward to Lake Michigan.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The demand, even if lessened, will still warrant offering larger sizes, but some marquee names now want to farm out their plus-sized clothing to outside vendors instead of making their own label.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 12 Sep. 2025
For example, with credit card fraud detection, the cost for each undetected fraudulent transaction might be lessened if the bank has fraud insurance or if the bank's enforcement activities recoup some fraud losses downstream.
—Eric Siegel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
There were initial fears of Richard possibly losing his leg, but these were quickly lessened as the surgery went on, Grotakku said.
—Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 4 Sep. 2025
As though the word defined or lessened their degree of responsibility.
—Uriel Kon
september 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025
This component is meant to kick in once the pain has lessened.
—Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN Money, 26 Aug. 2025
Knox said that his agency over her life lessened upon meeting him.
—Nicole Briese, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Our resolve to prosecute crime is not lessened by defective DC code statutes, as the DOJ works to change those statutes.
—Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2025
Some of that has lessened as residents have become more ecologically conscious, especially along the Waukegan River which flows eastward to Lake Michigan.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
-
But a House Fiscal Agency report shows that total artificially reduced by the way billions in federal funding is accounted for, by moving Medicaid money to contingency funds where they are not included in the budget total.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the federal spending on Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP — another priority for Democrats — will be reduced by more than $1 trillion over the next decade as a result of provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Educator turnover in Wisconsin public schools has decreased from pandemic highs but remains elevated.—
Kayla Huynh,
jsonline.com,
6 Oct. 2025
-
After just a few minutes on each arm, the soreness had noticeably decreased, and my arms looked more defined and less puffy, especially near the underarm area where water retention tends to settle.—
Francesca Krempa,
StyleCaster,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Panthers are weakened without starting running back Chuba Hubbard.—
Mike Kaye,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Oct. 2025
-
Confidence in business conditions and job availability has weakened sharply, raising concerns that the spending power underpinning corporate growth could falter.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
So how the hell did that happen when cinematic box office is diminished generally?—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
2 Oct. 2025
-
Cyber threats have not diminished, and CFOs are as vigilant as ever, Gallucci noted.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, as Ozzy's health deteriorated, the project shifted into a film instead.—
Marina Watts,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Stone, brick and window work has deteriorated.—
Chris Higgins,
Kansas City Star,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There was some concern about Mayfield’s status for the Bucs’ Week 5 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but those worries were likely subsided after Mayfield was a full participant in Thursday’s practice.—
Michael Gallagher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Aquifers collapsed, fertile plains subsided, and deserts spread.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But warming ocean temperatures, rising sea levels, disease and human activity, such as pollution, have severely degraded Florida's reefs, according to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
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Which is good news, because there’s no question that the general imaginative environment has degraded significantly.—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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For Nio, this surge underlines the value of its fast, automated swap system, capable of changing a depleted battery in under three minutes.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Missing a plethora of key starters, back-up quarterback Mac Jones led the depleted San Francsico 49ers to a thrilling 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football.—
Ben Morse,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 10 Oct. 2025.
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