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
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
Of note, Rogers Communications closed a deal in July to obtain a majority ownership stake of MLSE, lessening Tanenbaum’s power in the organization going forward.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 11 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
Decentralization can reduce the risk of government mismanagement or overreach, lessening the likelihood of currency debasement and/or runaway inflation.
—Alex Pron, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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
The Patriots must be willing to make adjustments after Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Raiders, and one of those might be lessening Drake Maye’s workload.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 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
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
Of note, Rogers Communications closed a deal in July to obtain a majority ownership stake of MLSE, lessening Tanenbaum’s power in the organization going forward.
—Eric Koreen, New York Times, 11 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
Decentralization can reduce the risk of government mismanagement or overreach, lessening the likelihood of currency debasement and/or runaway inflation.
—Alex Pron, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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
The Patriots must be willing to make adjustments after Sunday’s 20-13 loss to the Raiders, and one of those might be lessening Drake Maye’s workload.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 8 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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Analysts also have expressed concerns about Rivian’s previous goal to be profitable on an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization basis by 2027.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The impact of custom duties and the dollar’s depreciation — of minus 4 percent — on French cosmetics exports is already starting to be felt.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
31 Oct. 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
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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
-
Meanwhile, the returns on scaling up chatbots are, at present, diminishing.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
30 Oct. 2025
-
Adopting China’s position in this way would be a blunder, diminishing Taiwan’s resolve to resist Chinese aggression and coercion.—
STEPHEN WERTHEIM,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Oct. 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
-
That’s because plyometrics involve quick movements and concentric (shortening) and eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions.—
Jenny McCoy,
SELF,
24 Oct. 2025
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The doctor shortage was already acute and is contributing to a shortening of the lifespans of rural Americans, says Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association.—
NPR,
NPR,
15 Oct. 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
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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 7 Nov. 2025.
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