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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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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,
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
McCary says this method is not only the easiest way to deal with grass clippings, but also provides nutrients for the lawn and lessens the need for fertilizer, which can be expensive.
—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
This creates a gradual increase in blood sugar, which lessens the amount of insulin your body needs to help regulate it.
—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 June 2026
At BofA Annual Healthcare Conference, Martin said Viatris expects that there will be multiple treatments used to manage the disease, which lessens the competitive impact of any new drugs that enter the category.
—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Specifically, retinol smooths fine lines, lessens wrinkle depth, and whittles the appearance of large pores.
—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
That his general manager, Dana Brown, is working in the final year of his contract lessens the already slim likelihood of Houston dealing Alvarez.
—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
The cold front begins to move east Tuesday as the storm risk lessens, but 57 million people will remain under a slight risk for severe storms capable of hail, wind and tornadoes from southwest Texas to northern New England.
—
Kathryn Prociv,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
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
McCary says this method is not only the easiest way to deal with grass clippings, but also provides nutrients for the lawn and lessens the need for fertilizer, which can be expensive.
—
Peg Aloi,
The Spruce,
21 June 2026
This creates a gradual increase in blood sugar, which lessens the amount of insulin your body needs to help regulate it.
—
Kirsten Nunez,
Martha Stewart,
15 June 2026
At BofA Annual Healthcare Conference, Martin said Viatris expects that there will be multiple treatments used to manage the disease, which lessens the competitive impact of any new drugs that enter the category.
—
Justin Zacks,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
Specifically, retinol smooths fine lines, lessens wrinkle depth, and whittles the appearance of large pores.
—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
29 May 2026
That his general manager, Dana Brown, is working in the final year of his contract lessens the already slim likelihood of Houston dealing Alvarez.
—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 May 2026
The cold front begins to move east Tuesday as the storm risk lessens, but 57 million people will remain under a slight risk for severe storms capable of hail, wind and tornadoes from southwest Texas to northern New England.
—
Kathryn Prociv,
NBC news,
18 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessens
Verb
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Good posture helps prevent aches in the back, neck and shoulders, reduces joint wear and lowers the risk of sports injuries, according to Cleveland Clinic.
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Skipping the stove and oven also reduces indoor heat, so lean on cold sandwiches, salads and no-cook meals during the worst hours.
Verb
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Previous research has demonstrated that direct exposure to nature significantly reduces physiological stress, lowers heart rates and decreases levels of stress hormones, like cortisol.
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This risk decreases as the storm moves away.
Verb
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Those with respiratory problems and sensitive groups could experience issues as our air quality degrades a bit with the dust lingering overhead.
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Trump, on the other hand, belittles and degrades people every day.
Verb
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In most lakes oxygen content diminishes rapidly at depths below 35 feet.
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None of this diminishes the responsibility of wealthy countries.
Verb
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When foreign investors pull money out of the country, demand for the rupiah drops, and the currency weakens.
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Every interaction either builds confidence or weakens it.
Verb
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After the laughter ringing through the room subsides, though, Abela does allow for a moment of reverence — for the HBO drama if not for the disreputable people who populate it.
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Then the climax subsides for a lovely coda of strings, accompanied by a denouement in which the now casually clad, contemporary-looking singer smashes up her play set in the apartment where she’s presumably been brooding over all this stuff.
Verb
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The delivery was a glimmer of good news in a living situation that deteriorates by the day.
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Breaking them down to save for a later date isn’t enough, as bugs will still nestle their way in even as the cardboard deteriorates.
Verb
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Landing Torbert eases the sting of missing out on five-star cornerback Joshua Dobson, who committed to South Carolina on Wednesday.
-
Oil continues to fall, which eases the inflationary pressures, too.
Cite this Entry
“Lessens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessens. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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