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
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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
as in diminished
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessened
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025
By vaccinating within three days of the initial exposure, the disease can be stopped or its severity can be lessened, Jones said.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2025
The apartment site itself is on the very edge of the protection area, in a spot already bordered by a major highway, but that hasn’t lessened the concerns.
—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
Cybersecurity used to hold fear of cloud center stage; those concerns have lessened.
—Paige Francis, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Some speculate that the chances of AI hallucinations arising during CoT and AoT are generally lessened.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Those worries lessened - but did not disappear - for higher-income households.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Spiegel said the hiring of the 35 full-time nurses along with the furlough has lessened overall payroll expenses at the hospital.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Students who spoke to CNN said pro-Palestinian protests this academic year appear to have lessened somewhat compared to last year.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Although solar and wind have lessened dependency on fossil fuels, their erratic nature emphasizes the need for more reliable renewable energy sources.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 Mar. 2025
By vaccinating within three days of the initial exposure, the disease can be stopped or its severity can be lessened, Jones said.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2025
The apartment site itself is on the very edge of the protection area, in a spot already bordered by a major highway, but that hasn’t lessened the concerns.
—Martin E. Comas, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Mar. 2025
Cybersecurity used to hold fear of cloud center stage; those concerns have lessened.
—Paige Francis, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
Some speculate that the chances of AI hallucinations arising during CoT and AoT are generally lessened.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025
Those worries lessened - but did not disappear - for higher-income households.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 5 Mar. 2025
Spiegel said the hiring of the 35 full-time nurses along with the furlough has lessened overall payroll expenses at the hospital.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
Students who spoke to CNN said pro-Palestinian protests this academic year appear to have lessened somewhat compared to last year.
—John Towfighi, CNN, 21 Feb. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
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O'Reilly said that the police department reduced the number of abuse complaints and use of Taser, which had been leading to costly lawsuits.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
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Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
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Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The average grade of ore has also diminished by around 40% since 1991, BHP says.—
Scott Neuman,
NPR,
16 Mar. 2025
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If the injury is serious enough to prevent Flagg from playing in the NCAA Tournament, the committee could deem Duke diminished enough to impact its seeding.—
Blair Kerkhoff,
Kansas City Star,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Once strong regional partners, ties between Israel and Turkey have long been frosty and deteriorated further over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.—
Andrew Wilks,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2025
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During the administrative hearing this week, economist David Appel called the California market unsustainable and said it’s deteriorated dramatically.—
Dawn Giel,Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Its pandemic subsided in 1969, but the virus continued to circulate, eventually becoming a part of the regular seasonal flu strain.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
27 Dec. 2024
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When the waves finally subsided, there was nothing but silence.—
Michael Fiorentino,
NBC News,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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If global warming is uncontrolled, 90% of all coral reefs in the world will be functionally degraded by 2050.—
Ian Dexter Palmer,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
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One manager, in particular, repeatedly degraded the workers, calling them racial slurs and making comments about their work ethic, the lawsuit said.—
Jennifer Rodriguez,
Kansas City Star,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Presidents before Trump have been felled by the Middle East, and Trump has had some successes with Ukraine, most notably the signing of a mineral rights deal with Kyiv.—
Rema Rahman - 06,
The Hill,
13 June 2025
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In 2016, police investigators confirmed that a 300-meter-high (nearly 1,000 feet) telecommunications mast in southwestern Sweden was intentionally felled, leaving around 85,000 households without TV broadcasts and affecting emergency announcements.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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The lingering worries in his mind were eased.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
13 Apr. 2025
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Some of the injuries which precipitated that slump have eased.—
Sam Lee,
New York Times,
11 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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