as in diminished
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Dissimilar Words
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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessened
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
Brian New, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Oil prices plummeted following Iran's announcement as supply disruption fears lessened.
—Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
If your pain has not lessened after several weeks, stop using the product and consult your health care professional.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But in early fall and late spring, the splendor of this backcountry is hardly lessened.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
The vaccine proved 80–90 percent effective in preventing disease and greatly lessened the severity of disease in those who did contract it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Man therefore is relieved of responsibility, his inspiration dies, his pride is hurt, and his ambition lessened or killed.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
However, Akers said, since the work began, more extensive vandalism has been brought to a halt and graffiti has lessened.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
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
Neighbors say that work has not lessened their concern.
—Brian New, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Oil prices plummeted following Iran's announcement as supply disruption fears lessened.
—Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
If your pain has not lessened after several weeks, stop using the product and consult your health care professional.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But in early fall and late spring, the splendor of this backcountry is hardly lessened.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
The vaccine proved 80–90 percent effective in preventing disease and greatly lessened the severity of disease in those who did contract it.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Man therefore is relieved of responsibility, his inspiration dies, his pride is hurt, and his ambition lessened or killed.
—Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 23 Mar. 2026
Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Mar. 2026
However, Akers said, since the work began, more extensive vandalism has been brought to a halt and graffiti has lessened.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
-
Saudi Arabia’s government has reduced its reliance on oil revenue by introducing taxes and fees, but the kingdom’s ambitions have still grown faster than the new sources of revenue forcing the country to become more pragmatic, The New York Times’ Vivian Nereim reports.—
Alaa Shahine Salha,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Images from the scene showed a part of a four-story building reduced to a massive pile of rubble, with emergency workers on top of it.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Brent crude, the global benchmark, decreased to just more than $91 per barrel Friday afternoon after reaching lower to $89 earlier in the day.—
Ryan Mancini,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Though the number of deadly attacks by separatists has decreased in recent years, the conflict shows no sign of resolution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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With the war in Iraq raging, the 84-year-old pope, weakened by Parkinson’s disease and less than a year from his death, condemned the war in Iraq with Bush sitting right next to him.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Hezbollah, though weakened in its last war with Israel that ended in November 2024, still fires drones, rockets and artillery daily into northern Israel and on ground troops inside Lebanon.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In Stoddart’s estimation, the best way to freeze these semi-consumed cakes is in slices.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
Guthrie is 84, after all, and not in great health, so though in the first few days the focus was on trying to find her alive, at this point, the hopes of that have diminished greatly.—
StyleCaster Editors,
StyleCaster,
15 Apr. 2026
-
Quiet Maryam and mercurial Farhan—eight years apart—had often squabbled, gone through periods of not talking, but without her sister as a foil, Maryam was diminished.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The lawsuit says the hospital did not tell his family that Hylton’s condition had deteriorated and that he had been transferred to the ICU without a doctor on-site.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
9 Apr. 2026
-
All the while, his injuries mounted and personal life deteriorated.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Unfortunately, these treatments can potentially lead to more weeds, nutrient leaching, and other issues that leave soil even more depleted.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
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Those figures are likely to ramp up further as Gulf states look to rebuild depleted stocks of interceptors and accelerate the development of local military industrial bases.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Fortunately, drinking more water helped, and my symptoms eventually subsided.—
Jenna Anderson,
Health,
17 Apr. 2026
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The be-ins, the marches, and the riots had mostly subsided, leaving a strange quiet in their place.—
Andrew Durbin,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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