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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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
Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
While most thought this would be a devastating blow to the Buccaneers' offense, the impact of his absence has been lessened due to the great play of rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who ranks inside the top five in receiving yards through six weeks.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The swelling had lessened, too.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
The shutdown has delayed the release of key economic data, such as the September jobs report that was expected Friday, and therefore lessened the amount of information available for the Fed ahead of its next interest rate decision.
—Hugh Leask,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
In what remains the sport’s pre-eminent super-bullpen, Miller has lessened the sting of setup man Jason Adam’s season-ending quad injury.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 2 Oct. 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
Verb
That lessened the attention — and pressure — on lawmakers to negotiate a way to reopen the government.
—Mike Lillis, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2025
While most thought this would be a devastating blow to the Buccaneers' offense, the impact of his absence has been lessened due to the great play of rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who ranks inside the top five in receiving yards through six weeks.
—Reice Shipley, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
The swelling had lessened, too.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2025
The shutdown has delayed the release of key economic data, such as the September jobs report that was expected Friday, and therefore lessened the amount of information available for the Fed ahead of its next interest rate decision.
—Hugh Leask,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
In what remains the sport’s pre-eminent super-bullpen, Miller has lessened the sting of setup man Jason Adam’s season-ending quad injury.
—Dennis Lin, New York Times, 2 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
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At 40 of the country’s busiest airports, flights coming and going will be reduced by 10% this week.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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For a family of three, the benefit would be reduced by $275.—
Daniel McFadin,
Arkansas Online,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Content licensing revenues decreased 27% to $59 million primarily due to the timing and availability of deliveries in the period.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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The median sale price for detached homes remained flat at $650,000, while attached homes decreased by 3% to $388,220.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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With some estimates putting wave heights as much as 35 feet, weakened hatch covers would have been vulnerable to such waves.—
Stephen J. Beard,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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The years of horrific violence have weakened Sudan, plunging its institutions into chaos and making its population more vulnerable and poorer.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In the end, the power of the Cheney name was greatly diminished in GOP politics.—
Don Gonyea,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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Measles can have serious long-term effects, including hearing loss, diminished immunity from previous infections with other viruses and pneumonia.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But just an hour later, the wife received a call from the home telling her that his condition had deteriorated and he was being sent to Hialeah Hospital.—
Kevin G. Hall,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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The judge said the missing video could have shown whether deputies or medical staff had checked on Schuck or ignored him as his condition deteriorated.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Yes, Oregon State’s 10-7 victory over Washington State was the hardest of hard watches, 60 minutes of offensive offense and depleted rosters from programs that were cast adrift in the realignment seas.—
Jon Wilner,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Nov. 2025
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But now these escalations are almost exclusively in one direction, with Israel unleashing its firepower on Gaza against a depleted Hamas.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In Texas, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds to stem a measles outbreak weren't available until after the crisis had subsided and two children had died.—
Amy Maxmen,
ABC News,
5 Nov. 2025
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Floods in Cebu City had subsided late on Tuesday but power was still out in many places and telecommunications services were intermittent, a Reuters journalist in Cebu said.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Wallin points out that half of the world’s GDP, amounting to $44 trillion, is directly dependent on nature, yet the essential systems that support economic stability continue to be degraded.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Ancient samples, degraded over centuries, often contain fragments too small for PCR to amplify.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 26 Nov. 2025.
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