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
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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
Planning ahead lessens the impact of a power disruption.
—
San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Their faith paradoxically lessens in the face of evil, even for Father Karras, trembling in disbelief and dwindling hope the more the demon Pazuzu reveals itself.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Inez’s healing doesn’t mean a thing if she’s doubled over in pain, which lessens their impact in a particularly heated firefight.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Yes, this may still involve hurt feelings, but the risk of being misunderstood lessens.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
This degree of control not only lessens supply chain dependencies but also accelerates deployment cycles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Previous Supreme Court decisions established that the government's concern about corruption lessens if there isn't an opportunity for bribery.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Once the seeds have matured, however, that energy barrier lessens.
—New Atlas, 23 Aug. 2025
Maybe rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams plays great and lessens the need at that position.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
San Diego Gas & Electric, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Their faith paradoxically lessens in the face of evil, even for Father Karras, trembling in disbelief and dwindling hope the more the demon Pazuzu reveals itself.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
Inez’s healing doesn’t mean a thing if she’s doubled over in pain, which lessens their impact in a particularly heated firefight.
—Jason Fanelli, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Yes, this may still involve hurt feelings, but the risk of being misunderstood lessens.
—R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2025
This degree of control not only lessens supply chain dependencies but also accelerates deployment cycles.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Previous Supreme Court decisions established that the government's concern about corruption lessens if there isn't an opportunity for bribery.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Once the seeds have matured, however, that energy barrier lessens.
—New Atlas, 23 Aug. 2025
Maybe rookie wide receiver Kyle Williams plays great and lessens the need at that position.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessens
Verb
-
This degradation not only reduces the usable active material but also creates side reactions that drain performance and shorten battery lifespan.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Jan. 2026
-
At the same time, hyaluronic acid—the gold standard for hydration—locks in moisture, soothes inflammation, and reduces texture, creating a soft, plump finish.—
Alyssa Morin,
InStyle,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This risk decreases as the storm moves away.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Jan. 2026
-
Prescribed medication is used to manage discomfort, which usually decreases noticeably after the first week.—
Daniel Fusch,
USA Today,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
But that study measured the shoes after 280 miles, leaving it unclear how much the foam degrades in 50 or 100 miles.—
Jonathan Beverly,
Outside,
26 Dec. 2025
-
As the biofilm degrades, sludge settles in a secondary clarifier.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
18 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
But those long hours sitting at a desk, commuting by car or public transport, and spending leisure time in front of screens also diminishes opportunities for the legs to be challenged.—
Desireé Oostland,
Vogue,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
An overreliance on tools weakens our civilization (and saps the film’s dramatic thrills).—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
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Ignoring this reality weakens any serious climate plan.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The driver was safely rescued, but their vehicle will stay in the flooded roadway, between the road closures, until the water subsides.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Backyard cast also features Katie MacNichol as Gladys’ daughter Ellen, Alexander Ameen as Ellen’s husband Howard, and William Huffaker as a young painter from Boston named Don Bowman whom Gladys seeks to help even as her mental state deteriorates.—
David L. Coddon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Nov. 2025
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As the situation deteriorates, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany among others have urged their nationals to leave Bamako.—
Tim Lister,
CNN Money,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Listening first eases tension and helps plans click into place.—
Tarot.com,
Baltimore Sun,
8 Jan. 2026
-
However, some people find that lemon water eases bloating.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessens. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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