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

An elevated risk of rip currents can be expected through noon, before the threat of rip currents lessens this afternoon. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026

While the new proposal slightly lessens the total match inventory, a far greater percentage of those games – 19 of 23 each season – will be true single-elimination encounters. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Coconut oil has approximately 65% MCTs, while MCT oil supplements have 100%, which lessens the health benefits of consuming only MCTs. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026

Your shoulders, ears and hips should be aligned, which lessens the pressure on your lumbar vertebrae. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026

This lessens the chance of fungal diseases and betters airflow and light exposure to all parts of the plant. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 18 July 2026

For greater tensile strength, the Bluesign partner is using looms from Muller and Kyang Yhe to create webbing with an even density that lessens the amount the material lengthens when under tension. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 6 July 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, 28 June 2026

But unfortunately, unable to keep his trademark goofiness in check, director Taika Waititi lessens its impact, with pioneer Jaiyah Saelua (Kaimana) — the first and still the only trans player to compete at such a level — in particular, done dirty. — Jon O'Brien, Vulture, 26 June 2026