lessening 1 of 2

noun

1
as in reducing

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2
as in depreciation

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lessening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lessen
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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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lessening
Noun
The good news for the Broadway ticket buyer is that there does not necessarily appear to be a lessening in the quality of these shows, despite their quick turnaround. — Katie North, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026 Tehran blames the foreign ministry of Lebanon, particularly foreign minister Youssef Raggi, for the ‘lessening of solidarity with Iran. — Benjamin Weinthal, FOXNews.com, 15 May 2026 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
Verb
Parts of northern Arizona were without power Saturday as the utility serving the area initiated a safety shut-off in hopes of lessening the wildfire risk. — Michael R. Sisak, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026 Parts of northern Arizona were without power Saturday as the utility serving the area initiated a safety shutoff in hopes of lessening the wildfire risk. — Ty Oneil, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2026 Parts of northern Arizona were without power Saturday as the utility serving the area initiated a safety shut-off in hopes of lessening the wildfire risk. — ABC News, 27 June 2026 The utility that serves the area initiated a safety outage in hopes of lessening the risk of wildfire in that area. — Ty Oneil, Arkansas Online, 26 June 2026 What are the risks of lessening the barrier to testosterone therapy? — Theara Coleman, TheWeek, 25 June 2026 The move signifies OpenAI's shift towards vertical integration, lessening reliance on general-purpose hardware. — Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 At your workstation, this monitor automatically detects lighting changes and adjust the brightness on screen, and also comes with Eye Saver Mode to reduce blue light, lessening eye strain. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 19 June 2026 The drug is designed to rapidly block platelets from clumping and restricting blood flow, lessening the adverse outcomes of a heart attack. — Justin Zacks, CNBC, 4 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessening
  1. reducing
  2. depreciation
  3. decreasing
  4. diminishing
  5. weakening
  6. shortening
  7. decrease
  8. subsiding
Noun
  • The long answer is that Estée Lauder’s Diamond Moisturizer is hydrating (as all moisturizers should be), firming, tightening, wrinkle-reducing, age spot-fading, and texture-smoothing.
    — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
  • Moisturizing, soothing, and redness reducing, Erborian’s CC Cream is the ultimate cult-favorite beauty product.
    — Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2025
Definition of reducing
Noun
  • And at a time of record-high rates of EV depreciation, what would happen to the value of their cars?
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 10 July 2026
  • Qnity may raise its full-year guidance for revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization due to growing fabrication plant utilization across the company's semiconductor customers, the analyst added.
    — Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of depreciation
Verb
  • But the population of mule deer has been steadily decreasing since the 1970s, leading some scientists to theorize that the newly resurgent wolves are relying on other prey, including beavers, rabbits and livestock, the 2021 report states.
    — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 8 July 2026
  • On Sunday, there is a 15% to 30% chance of rain, with the chances decreasing throughout the day.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
Definition of decreasing
Verb
  • Expensive eye creams have long been considered the gold standard for diminishing fine lines and wrinkles.
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026
  • Prolonged exposure to heat can lead to insufficient or poor sleep, compromising the immune system, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease and diminishing cognitive performance.
    — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of diminishing
Verb
  • The German lender notes a growing divergence between the nation's weakening fiscal position and its thriving corporate balance sheets.
    — Joseph Wilkins, CNBC, 9 July 2026
  • The effect results in the typical east-to-west trade winds weakening or even sometimes reversing, allowing warmer water from the western Pacific to move eastward.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of weakening
Noun
  • Add shortening and continue cutting in until flour is pale yellow and resembles coarse cornmeal with butter bits no larger than small peas.
    — Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 7 July 2026
  • Sky observers say the Fourth of July is when the shortening of days becomes noticeably more rapid.
    — Charles Seabrook, AJC.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of shortening
Noun
  • Kuna residents would pay $20 more per $100,000 of property value in their taxes, while Nampa would see a decrease of $2 per $100,000, according to Nampa Fire Protection District Chief Kirk Carpenter.
    — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 8 July 2026
  • While this natural decrease is not unique to Florida, its social, economic and demographic impacts may be more pronounced if the state is no longer a migrant magnet.
    — Karin Brewster, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
Definition of decrease
Verb
  • The afternoon started tough until the wind kept subsiding, and players began taking aim at flags.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • Weather service and public safety officials said the safest thing to do is to stay away from the beaches altogether until the southern swells start subsiding.
    — Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 19 June 2026
Definition of subsiding

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Cite this Entry

“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of lessening for Spanish Speakers

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