1
as in reducing
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Dissimilar Words
2
as in depreciation
Related Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of lessening
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
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
Comeaux also noted that a separate $10 million grant is set to be used for technology aimed at lessening the threat posed by drones.
—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
The vaccine is 80% effective at preventing illness and highly effective in lessening symptoms.
—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
Teams are checking the temperature of the tank every 30 minutes, hoping to confirm a downward trend that would indicate risk is lessening.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
The underlying bill is meant to ease the housing affordability crunch by lessening some government regulations on housing and incentivizing state and local governments to ease land-use regulations.
—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
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
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
Comeaux also noted that a separate $10 million grant is set to be used for technology aimed at lessening the threat posed by drones.
—
Matthew Ablon,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
The vaccine is 80% effective at preventing illness and highly effective in lessening symptoms.
—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
28 May 2026
Teams are checking the temperature of the tank every 30 minutes, hoping to confirm a downward trend that would indicate risk is lessening.
—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
26 May 2026
The underlying bill is meant to ease the housing affordability crunch by lessening some government regulations on housing and incentivizing state and local governments to ease land-use regulations.
—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessening
Noun
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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.
-
Moisturizing, soothing, and redness reducing, Erborian’s CC Cream is the ultimate cult-favorite beauty product.
Noun
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Instead, Elliott wants to allow the government to be able to pay the lower book value on those assets, or what the utility originally paid, minus depreciation.
-
Lawrence has also honed his sense of perspective, even if it’s often masked by self-depreciation.
Verb
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Most of these early mandate states were centered around the Northeast, where viral spread started decreasing as a result of normal season patterns.
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Across the United States, cities are decreasing the number of available psychiatric beds just as demand is surging.
Verb
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While professionals still seek performance upgrades, consumers increasingly view MacBooks as durable household appliances, diminishing the traditional annual upgrade cycle.
-
While Doral, Sweetwater, Tamiami and other areas near the fires did not see evacuations, officials warned air quality was diminishing due to the smoke, which could have caused health issues for some residents.
Verb
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Goldman Sachs predicts a sustained dollar weakening in 2026, driven by fiscal concerns and shifting global asset demand, marking a structural shift rather than a cyclical dip.
-
Ukrainian officials describe the strikes as a campaign to pressure Moscow to end the war by undermining its military logistics and supply lines and weakening its ability to mount assaults along the front.
Noun
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In 2023, Wimbledon joined the other Grand Slam tournaments in shortening matches from five to three sets.
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These large-range movements keep your body moving through the stretch, shortening and lengthening your muscles.
Noun
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Despite the criticism Williams has received for her hiring practices, Beasley-Pittman noted a decrease in the city’s personnel budget growth.
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Yet, if investments in digital defense hit record highs every year, why doesn't corporate vulnerability decrease?
Verb
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The afternoon started tough until the wind kept subsiding, and players began taking aim at flags.
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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.
Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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