1
as in reduces
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreases
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 degrades
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessens
The bridge is meant to create a north-south connection over the San Diego River — not subject to flooding — that lessens traffic congestion, promotes biking and walking, and facilitates access to the Fenton Parkway Trolley Station just west of the SDSU Mission Valley campus.
—
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
The strategy not only reduces costs but also lessens Chinese companies’ exposure to geopolitical risks.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Ideal for the ultimate no-makeup makeup look, for which Westman is known, the innovative blush harnesses biomimicry pigment technology, which lessens the risk of inflammation by encapsulating the synthetic pigments in the blush.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
That heist perhaps lessens the need for a similarly big swing this season.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
Six nominees in the acting categories also lessens the chances for obvious snubs.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
This process lessens the inflammation, letting air pass through the nasal passages unhindered.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
For example, for feedback on video production, Dropbox’s file structure allows multiple people to contribute — and lessens the version handoffs.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Finally, hyaluronic acid lessens the appearance of fine lines—which are more prominent when skin is thirsty.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
The strategy not only reduces costs but also lessens Chinese companies’ exposure to geopolitical risks.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Ideal for the ultimate no-makeup makeup look, for which Westman is known, the innovative blush harnesses biomimicry pigment technology, which lessens the risk of inflammation by encapsulating the synthetic pigments in the blush.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026
That heist perhaps lessens the need for a similarly big swing this season.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
Six nominees in the acting categories also lessens the chances for obvious snubs.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 27 Jan. 2026
This process lessens the inflammation, letting air pass through the nasal passages unhindered.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
For example, for feedback on video production, Dropbox’s file structure allows multiple people to contribute — and lessens the version handoffs.
—Caitlin White, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026
Finally, hyaluronic acid lessens the appearance of fine lines—which are more prominent when skin is thirsty.
—Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessens
Verb
-
Recent research examining extensive housing market data reaches similar conclusions, finding that institutional investors buying single-family homes raises home prices by 1-2% and reduces rents by nearly the same amount.—
Adrian Moore,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The fiber in fruit slows digestion and reduces the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream, helping to lower post-meal blood sugar levels.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This naturally stretches your torso and decreases pressure on the diaphragm on the side where the pain is.—
Sarah Klein,
Outside,
23 Feb. 2026
-
As the storm moves away, this likelihood decreases.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The condition degrades the ability to read, drive and recognize faces.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Similarly, the Waterloo team engineered a cascade reaction pathway that incrementally degrades plastic polymers into acetic acid.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Instead, the Bulls plan to keep him sidelined until his pain diminishes, at which point he would be cleared to play again.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 2026
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But many in Hollywood said to defend Davidson diminishes the pain the situation caused.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
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That means the batteries can keep the power on during prolonged severe weather events, peak summer demand, or just a particularly cloudy week that weakens solar power.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
-
First, the skull weakens and distorts sound waves.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While a panic attack subsides eventually, the anxiety-like feeling that precedes a heart attack won’t go away and may even increase in intensity over time.—
Nadine Avola,
Flow Space,
19 Feb. 2026
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As investor panic subsides, these software names should get interest from traders, according to Pettit.—
Davis Giangiulio,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As her vision deteriorates, Penny turns to psychoanalysis not in hopes of reversing her condition, but to confront years of denial and silence.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Europe is tightening the net on Russian oil being shipped through its waters, squeezing Moscow’s ability to fund its war even as officials and business executives in Russia fear the window is narrowing to reach a peace deal before the economy deteriorates.—
Catherine Belton,
Washington Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the heartache eases, memories often heal and illuminate.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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Chasteberry Tea Chasteberry tea eases PMS and boosts progesterone.—
Brandi Jones,
Verywell Health,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessens. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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