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
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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
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
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
At the same time, the company’s lofty talk of space exploration beyond the moon, especially of Mars, has notably lessened.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Democrats said one of the biggest benefits is that tax increases will likely be lessened in many cities and towns because of the additional funding that the municipalities will receive.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
The open communication also lessened the pressure on players, says Denmark and Bayern Munich striker Pernille Harder.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Should they be required to open more real beds, and should requirements for licensing be lessened?
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In cities and states around the country where this type of reform has already been implemented, fatal crashes have dramatically declined and racial disparities in enforcement have lessened.
—Lauren Aung, Washington Post, 23 Apr. 2026
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
From 1974-95 there was an average of one running back taken in the top five each year, but the shift to a passing league has lessened the impact of running backs in recent years.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 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
His workload lessened after that, especially with travel taking a toll.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
At the same time, the company’s lofty talk of space exploration beyond the moon, especially of Mars, has notably lessened.
—Ramin Skibba, Scientific American, 4 May 2026
Democrats said one of the biggest benefits is that tax increases will likely be lessened in many cities and towns because of the additional funding that the municipalities will receive.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 2 May 2026
The open communication also lessened the pressure on players, says Denmark and Bayern Munich striker Pernille Harder.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 May 2026
Should they be required to open more real beds, and should requirements for licensing be lessened?
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In cities and states around the country where this type of reform has already been implemented, fatal crashes have dramatically declined and racial disparities in enforcement have lessened.
—Lauren Aung, Washington Post, 23 Apr. 2026
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
From 1974-95 there was an average of one running back taken in the top five each year, but the shift to a passing league has lessened the impact of running backs in recent years.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
-
While Himatsingka had to take down his viral Bournvita clip, following a growing public backlash the company reduced sugar content in its offering, according to local media reports.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
-
In less than 24 hours, the deadly flames reduced the entire city to ash, displacing generations of families overnight.—
Samantha Stokes,
Essence,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
At an optimal dosage of 10 g/L, the lag phase of hydrogen production decreased by about 50%, and the specific hydrogen yield increased by roughly 33%, according to researchers.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 May 2026
-
Wealthy Russians, Ukrainians, and northern Europeans snapped up properties, too—though visitors from the Russian-speaking world have decreased since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war.—
Rebecca Rose,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
Verb
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People who have weakened immune systems and who experienced intense pain during an initial outbreak are also more susceptible to getting shingles a second (or even third) time.—
Petra Guglielmetti,
Glamour,
7 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, the institutional guardrails have been weakened.—
Israel Melendez Ayala,
Time,
6 May 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
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The unlikely union lasted 10 years and the mutual admiration between the two famed figures never diminished.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
-
While the immediate flood threat has diminished, rain is expected to persist along the Mid-Atlantic coast.—
Francie Ebert,
NBC news,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Even the city emblem right in front of City Hall is deteriorated.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Mohammadi, who has been imprisoned in Zanjan Prison in the northwest since her arrest in December, was transferred last Friday to a local hospital after her health sharply deteriorated.—
Connor Greene,
Time,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
Replacing depleted missile stocks will require sustained investment.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
12 May 2026
-
The depleted competition in the old leagues led even non-Black Bear teams to follow suit.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
While the heaviest fighting has subsided, the shaky truce has been interrupted by almost daily Israeli fire.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 2026
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The family’s anger has subsided some since the baby’s death, in part because of their trust in God’s plan.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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