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
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 Visibility lessened as the Cardinals tacked on a third-inning insurance run and, by the sixth inning, clearly began to affect play. Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026 Late 19th and Early 20th Century Most Western states capitalized on the barriers imposed on divorce and lessened their residency requirements to shorten the length of time one had to reside in the state to be able to file for divorce. Patricia Fersch, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Adjective
  • At the Paks nuclear reactor, Hungary decided to reduce output to 25 percent in the wake of reduced water levels.
    Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 17 Aug. 2026
  • This was a reduced version called by new offensive coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, with minimal opponent-specific game planning and facing the Chiefs’ backups.
    Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • While gasoline demand has decreased, AAA says, citing data from the Energy Information Administration, supply and production also decreased.
    Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • But while demand for the nifty two-seater has substantially decreased, the CX-5 has thrived.
    James Raia, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The term refers to when tobacco companies in the 1990s were forced to pay billions of dollars for misleading the public about the safety and potential harms of their products, and subsequently saw their power and influence dramatically diminished.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But the likelihood of finding more survivors has diminished sharply since the first 72 hours after the earthquake.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • The ultimate effect of Fedorov appeal to everyone’s better angels, is that Zelensky is weakened, the questions of his electoral legitimacy amplified, and the call for an end to the war bolstered.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Positions have hardened, trust has weakened and the room for quiet resolution has narrowed.
    Sean Pattwell, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 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
  • Washington and Tehran agreed in June to a 60-day ceasefire, allowing time to negotiate a more durable peace deal while active fighting subsided and the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened.
    Hanna Ziady, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The changes appeared shortly after astronauts entered space and largely subsided within days of their return to Earth, providing biochemical evidence that digestion slows in space.
    Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Her motive wasn’t a major part of the trial, but evidence presented by the prosecution suggested her relationship with her in-laws had deteriorated.
    Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
  • As the deployment has stretched on and living conditions on board have allegedly deteriorated, the crew of the Lincoln has also reportedly struggled with increasing mental health concerns.
    Connor Greene, Time, 14 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged or repeated stress that leaves people feeling overwhelmed, emotionally depleted and unable to keep up with ongoing demands.
    Daryl Austin, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That means even more will need to be drawn out of storage next month, and the sight of depleted storage tanks is a surefire price driver.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 20 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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