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
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
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
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According to the Department of Transportation, daylight saving time saves energy, prevents traffic injuries and reduces crime.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
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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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Once the wind enters the open valley, the velocity decreases, and the grains are deposited.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Alcohol decreases helpful gut microbes and increases harmful microbes.—
Cynthia Sass,
Health,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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The setup only degrades further over the four episodes screened for critics.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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Coleman also pushed back against the notion that enthusiasm for AI diminishes the value of human work.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The rising intolerance that results erodes social cohesion, undermines support for democratic norms and weakens trust in institutions.—
Andrew Rojecki,
The Conversation,
21 Oct. 2025
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Blocking them causes disruption to the cells’ energy-generating mitochondria and leads to oxidative stress, which further weakens cancer.—
Hannah Millington,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Their base case assumes that recovery will resume once uncertainty subsides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
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For example, a few kids experience increased hyperactivity or irritability in the first couple of weeks, but that typically subsides within a month.—
Sherri Gordon,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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There is still plenty of long-term risk, depending on the rate at which Connor’s game deteriorates in his 30s.—
Murat Ates,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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According to local belief, sending a lantern upward helps cleanse a person’s spirit and eases their misfortunes, clearing the path for good luck in the coming year.—
Sarah Buder,
AFAR Media,
20 Oct. 2025
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The good news is there's horror fare to fit those tastes that avoids tired tropes, is more thoughtful than creepy, and eases a new generation of fans into a beloved genre without causing psychological damage or necessitating a night light.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessens. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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