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
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessens
Verb
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By leveraging light to enhance oxygen electrochemistry, the approach reduces energy losses and extends device lifetime without relying on precious metals.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The hostage standoff ultimately reduces both men into victims, revealing where power really lies.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Elevated heart rate and less endurance As hydration drops, blood volume decreases, forcing the heart to work harder to maintain cardiac output.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
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As the incivility and tribalism of our politics increase, the quality of our political discourse decreases accordingly.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This is dangerous and degrades our country -- where are Senate Republicans?—
Justin Gomez,
ABC News,
6 Feb. 2026
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The reactor facilitates rapid heat dissipation, preventing the thermal runaway that typically degrades catalysts.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Maybe, too, Giannis gets hurt again in March and his trade value diminishes a bit more.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
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Critics of this new federal tax scholarship program such as the Chicago Teachers Union, the Illinois Federation of Teachers and other lobbying groups say that this funding program takes money away from public education and diminishes schooling opportunities in favor of private or religious schools.—
Froylan Jimenez,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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When the vortex weakens, that tight circle becomes wavier, akin to how a slow-moving river tends to meander in bends across the landscape, Swain says.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
9 Feb. 2026
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In contrast to conventional recycling, which weakens fibers and limits how they can be reused, Uplift360’s non-degenerative method produces material that can go straight back into high-performance supply chains.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Those physicians worry the impacts will last long after the surge subsides.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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As the mayhem subsides, a silhouette of a lone Charli remains.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Emily Demirdonder, director of operations and marketing at Proximity Plumbing, said the rubber backing deteriorates in hot water and breaks apart during the spin cycle, and those fragments can block drain pumps and drainage pipes—sometimes leading to flooding and machine failure.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
28 Jan. 2026
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Staying at home when weather deteriorates will allow essential personnel to travel more safely to work.—
Nick Sullivan,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Brewer starts fast, eases past Granbury Carter Scott scored 15 of his game-high 21 points in the second half as Fort Worth Brewer jumped out to an early lead and then cruised to a 79-44 win over Granbury in a District 5-5A game on Tuesday.—
Darren Lauber,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2026
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Departing from Moynihan Train Hall in the heart of Manhattan, the train eases out from beneath the skyline before slipping into New Jersey, where city boroughs gradually give way to quieter suburbs.—
Abby Price,
Travel + Leisure,
1 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessens. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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