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
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
Also, Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were active against the Giants, which lessens his appeal going forward.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 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
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
Also, Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were active against the Giants, which lessens his appeal going forward.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 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
-
According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Cold water reduces those problems for all your clothes and linens, giving them a longer lifespan.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
25 Oct. 2025
Verb
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When nighttime temperatures consistently stay below 70°F in the South, the grass growth rate significantly decreases.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Supports Heart Health The fiber in corn decreases the absorption of fat and cholesterol in the digestive tract.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The goal is to understand exactly how and why performance degrades over time.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Gasoline mixed with ethanol degrades even faster than pure gasoline and may not even last three months.—
Kamron Sanders,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Oct. 2025
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At the risk of over-generalizing, as the protein content of a drink rises, its deliciousness diminishes.—
Adam Campbell-Schmitt,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Without light and air, the grass weakens and dies instead of going into winter dormancy.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
30 Oct. 2025
-
For many shrubs, pruning in the fall weakens the plant by spurring tender new growth that is vulnerable to coming frosts.—
Erica Browne Grivas,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Mariners traversing the bar are urged to exercise extreme caution or stay in port until the threat subsides.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Oct. 2025
-
Their base case assumes that recovery will resume once uncertainty subsides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
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
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Exposure to such content also deteriorates her audience’s ability to form beliefs on the basis of the evidence and primes them for skepticism toward consequential matters like vaccines and medicine.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Knowing and acting on her mom’s wishes eases the burden of last-minute decision-making and prompts Dowd to take early planning into her own hands.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
5 Nov. 2025
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The active noise cancellation eases low rumbles so commutes feel calmer.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessens. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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