1
as in reducing
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2
as in depreciation
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in decreasing
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 diminishing
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 weakening
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 lessening
Barbara Kates-Garnick, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025
The good news is that GPT-5 will presumably be somewhat less than gushingly friendly, though the lessening might be variable and of a mixed result.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
The growth of the outside cornerbacks has been key, as has been living in dime and lessening the load on the linebackers.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Glassman suggests lessening exposure to Magnificent 7 stocks that have pushed the market higher.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Trucks would lift the carts using hydraulics, lessening the labor required by employees to load debris into trucks.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025
One key part of lessening this burden is creating an environment at home that promotes a fair distribution of tasks like scheduling appointments and keeping track of obligations.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Oct. 2025
Looking to not be burdened with the massive contract, the Bucks instead decided to cut Lillard and spread out his money over five seasons, lessening the financial impact of the deal.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Therefore, lessening the impact of food production on the planet while also making enough to feed the global population will take planning and a coordinated effort among nations, Hicks said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Imagine wanting to see a play—ostensibly, in part, for the liveness of a play—but mistrusting your judgment enough to read a review first, thereby lessening your opportunity for surprise.
—Lauren Rothery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Noun
While appearing radical at the time, the revamping of scientific boards to include more industry representatives, the undoing of power plant rules and the lessening of enforcement hobbled but did not completely undo the agency.
—Barbara Kates-Garnick, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025
The good news is that GPT-5 will presumably be somewhat less than gushingly friendly, though the lessening might be variable and of a mixed result.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
The leading candidates across the board supported encouraging economic development to boost the city’s sales tax to help address the aging infrastructure while lessening the burden of property taxes on residents.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
The growth of the outside cornerbacks has been key, as has been living in dime and lessening the load on the linebackers.
—Nate Atkins, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025
Glassman suggests lessening exposure to Magnificent 7 stocks that have pushed the market higher.
—Michelle Fox, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2025
Trucks would lift the carts using hydraulics, lessening the labor required by employees to load debris into trucks.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 2025
One key part of lessening this burden is creating an environment at home that promotes a fair distribution of tasks like scheduling appointments and keeping track of obligations.
—Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 13 Oct. 2025
Looking to not be burdened with the massive contract, the Bucks instead decided to cut Lillard and spread out his money over five seasons, lessening the financial impact of the deal.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Therefore, lessening the impact of food production on the planet while also making enough to feed the global population will take planning and a coordinated effort among nations, Hicks said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
Imagine wanting to see a play—ostensibly, in part, for the liveness of a play—but mistrusting your judgment enough to read a review first, thereby lessening your opportunity for surprise.
—Lauren Rothery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessening
Noun
-
Moisturizing, soothing, and redness reducing, Erborian’s CC Cream is the ultimate cult-favorite beauty product.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Both consultants estimated that inflation in Caracas is currently running between 20% and 30% a month and is destined to keep rising as long as the bolivar depreciation continues.—
Stefano Pozzebon,
CNN Money,
11 Nov. 2025
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The company issued guidance for 2026 revenue and operating income before depreciation and amortization, or OIBDA.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
As Arizona squeezes more money from its decreasing share of river water, freighting every drop with critical industries and a booming housing market, the price of water is bound to keep climbing.—
Austin Corona,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The effect of climate change on traditional bear food sources, a steep population decline in rural areas, and the decreasing number of hunters have been cited as factors driving the rise in bear encounters.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Before the night was out, Germans began chipping away at the barrier, carrying off chunks of one of the symbols of the diminishing Iron Curtain.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Business leaders say that such policies risk accelerating an exodus of companies, diminishing the city’s commercial tax base, and ultimately affecting services and jobs essential to millions of New Yorkers.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
That goes even further than DESI's hints at weakening dark energy.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The central bank cut its benchmark rate for the second time this year at its most recent meeting, in part to help bolster the economy amid a weakening job market.—
Fortune,
Fortune,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
By using shortening instead of butter, the cookies stay softer and fluffier.—
Lizzy Briskin,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 Nov. 2025
-
Dissolve soda in milk; stir into shortening mixture.—
Molly Guthrey,
Twin Cities,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Heart rate decreases during stretching, which could signify the body entering a calm state.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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According to Nexstar, overall Q3 ad sales stood at $476 million, a decrease of $146 million from the third-quarter of 2024.—
Jennifer Maas,
Variety,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Hurricane conditions are occurring within the warning area in Cuba but expected to begin subsiding this afternoon.—
MIAMI HERALD HURRICANE BOT,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Dray also highlighted Honeywell’s strong and enduring core businesses, which subsiding headwinds from here should allow the market to focus better on.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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