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
Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The vision is expected to begin with further strengthening downtown Hartford and lessening its dependency on office workers for vibrancy.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
This will prioritize safety and reliability, while lessening emissions for local communities.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Song update The Padres are encouraged that Sung-Mun Song’s oblique discomfort appears to be lessening each day.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Two months after the anniversary of the devastating Southern California firestorms, several legislators at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and lessening their harms.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Cities across the nation are facing the same workplace trends including work-from-home flexibility and lessening square footage demands that are helping drive downtown office vacancies in Louisville.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
Meta, in a global race to dominate AI, wants to quickly build scale to seize the smart glasses market, lessening its reliance on hardware from tech rivals like Apple, the people said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
The city says their work also preserves the shape of the beach above the high-water line to help turtles figure out where the appropriate nesting areas are, lessening the risk of their nests being too close to high-traffic areas.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2026
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
By keeping more skin connected to the deeper tissues—and yielding smaller skin flaps in the face and neck—the technique aims to minimize space for fluid to settle, lessening not only post-op complications, but also bruising, swelling, and trauma to the skin.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The vision is expected to begin with further strengthening downtown Hartford and lessening its dependency on office workers for vibrancy.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
This will prioritize safety and reliability, while lessening emissions for local communities.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Song update The Padres are encouraged that Sung-Mun Song’s oblique discomfort appears to be lessening each day.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Two months after the anniversary of the devastating Southern California firestorms, several legislators at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and lessening their harms.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Cities across the nation are facing the same workplace trends including work-from-home flexibility and lessening square footage demands that are helping drive downtown office vacancies in Louisville.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
Meta, in a global race to dominate AI, wants to quickly build scale to seize the smart glasses market, lessening its reliance on hardware from tech rivals like Apple, the people said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
The city says their work also preserves the shape of the beach above the high-water line to help turtles figure out where the appropriate nesting areas are, lessening the risk of their nests being too close to high-traffic areas.
—Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 20 Feb. 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.—
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
Noun
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Mercer notes that currency depreciation in these places is the driving force behind their more affordable status.—
Amelia Mularz,
Architectural Digest,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Shevlin, of FlyUSA, said his company benefited from the tax law, which included a provision called bonus depreciation that allows business owners to deduct the full cost of equipment, including a private jet, from their taxes the year it is purchased, even if it is partly used for personal trips.—
Shannon Pettypiece,
NBC news,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Satellite images collected from the region since 2009 indicate that the population of Emperor penguins in Antarctica has been decreasing for about a decade, Phillip Trathan, member of the IUCN's Penguin Specialist Group, told ABC News.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
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This includes shoplifting, which dropped by nearly 3%; thefts from vehicles falling by 31%; and thefts of motor vehicle parts decreasing by about 27%, the report said.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Our diminishing water resources are being directed toward expanding cities.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The state officials, all Democrats, claimed the massive merger would give Nexstar too much control over local TV stations, ultimately hurting consumers by diminishing the diversity and quality of their newscasts.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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However, the brand has seen month-on-month declines in sales since September 2025, pointing to weakening momentum in its core NEV lineup.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
However, some Democrats warn against weakening their candidates when facing a Republican Party that’s flush with cash.—
Leah Askarinam,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In a large bowl beat butter and shortening with a mixer until creamy.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Apr. 2026
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If stiffness appears after walks, shortening outings can help keep the experience positive for both dog and owner.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The 5% decrease in electric charges is set to go into effect in June, with no future adjustments to it planned.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Apr. 2026
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Even a relatively small decrease to $4 a gallon could take one or two weeks, according to gas price tracking service GasBuddy.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
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But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
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But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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