Synonyms of lessens

lessens

verb

present tense third-person singular of lessen

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

• reduces
• decreases
• diminishes
• lowers
• depletes
• minimizes
• eases
• dwindles
• abates
• downsizes
• compresses
• dents
• shortens
• drops
• slashes
• cuts
• constricts
• knocks down
• curtails
• downscales
• shrinks
• de-escalates
• condenses
• abridges
• pares
• whittles
• truncates
• crops
• abbreviates
• modifies
• modulates
• cuts down
• deflates
• trims
• retrenches
• contracts
• nicks
• clips
• cuts back
• prunes
• docks
• qualifies
• moderates

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increases
• expands
• enlarges
• augments
• amplifies
• raises
• boosts
• extends
• escalates
• prolongs
• dilates
• inflates
• lengthens
• swells
• enhances
• elongates
• complements
• adds (to)
• heightens
• intensifies
• blows up
• aggrandizes
• distends
• supplements
• protracts
• redoubles

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

• decreases
• diminishes
• subsides
• eases
• falls
• declines
• shrinks
• vanishes
• lowers
• ebbs
• weakens
• wanes
• recedes
• dwindles
• tapers
• moderates
• relents
• dies (away or down or out)
• palls
• drops (off)
• abates
• tapers off
• falls away
• evaporates
• drains (away)
• remits
• lets up
• ratchets (down)
• constricts
• phases down
• alleviates
• compresses
• de-escalates
• rachets (down)
• condenses
• relaxes
• collapses
• slows (down)
• tails (off)
• slackens
• fades (away)
• gives out
• contracts
• melts (away)
• peters (out)
• deflates
• fritters (away)
• sinks
• flags
• caves (in)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• increases
• grows
• rises
• expands
• intensifies
• enlarges
• builds
• accumulates
• escalates
• swells
• appears
• soars
• emerges
• mounts
• mushrooms
• waxes
• picks up
• shows up
• lengthens
• burgeons
• snowballs
• elongates
• balloons
• blows up
• distends

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

• degrades
• weakens
• deteriorates
• dilutes
• subverts
• corrupts
• humiliates
• destroys
• demeans
• debases
• poisons
• vitiates
• cheapens
• damages
• debauches
• abases
• impairs
• pollutes
• perverts
• taints
• hurts
• thins
• prostitutes
• demoralizes
• depraves
• disgraces
• shames
• humbles
• ruins
• warps
• harms
• bastardizes
• mars
• contaminates
• profanes
• cankers
• dirties
• flaws
• tarnishes
• dishonors
• defiles
• wrecks
• spoils
• waters down
• descends
• depreciates
• befouls
• stains
• begrimes
• defaces
• downgrades
• takes down
• blemishes

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• improves
• elevates
• enhances
• uplifts
• ennobles
• exalts
• dignifies
• enriches
• ameliorates
• honors
• restores
• perfects
• amends
• clarifies
• refines
• cleans
• betters
• purifies
• cleanses
• respects
• meliorates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lessens

Unfiltered water, Adams insists, leads to sediment buildup in your water heater, which shortens its lifespan and lessens its heating efficiency. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 2026

As graduates earn more money, their loan assistance lessens. —CBS News, 31 Dec. 2025

This proactive approach lessens decision fatigue and eliminates last-minute scrambling, giving you a sense of control and calm from the start. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Dec. 2025

Among respondents with graduate degrees, 82% said sports betting lessens integrity. —David K. Li, NBC news, 19 Dec. 2025

Make sure to properly prepare quinoa by rinsing or soaking it before cooking, which lessens antinutrients. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 8 Dec. 2025

As the tilt lessens, the ice retreats again, carving and refilling terrain in rhythmic cycles that mirror Earth's own glacial epochs. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 14 Nov. 2025

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