as in less
having not so great importance or rank as another
it was the lesser evil of the two choices
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lesser
Minuta, Hackett, and Moerschel were found not guilty of lesser charges, including destruction of government property.
—
Catherine Garcia, The Week, 24 Jan. 2023
In that earlier trial, three other members of the Oath Keepers were found guilty of lesser charges.
—Jan Wolfe and C. Ryan Barber, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2023
Minuta, Hackett and Moerschel were acquitted of lesser charges.
—Michael Kunzelman and Alanna Durkin Richer, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2023
Prosecutors tend to settle for plea deals on related charges – pimping, pandering or money laundering – with lesser sentences.
—USA Today, 19 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for lesser
Catherine Garcia, The Week, 24 Jan. 2023
In that earlier trial, three other members of the Oath Keepers were found guilty of lesser charges.
—Jan Wolfe and C. Ryan Barber, WSJ, 23 Jan. 2023
Minuta, Hackett and Moerschel were acquitted of lesser charges.
—Michael Kunzelman and Alanna Durkin Richer, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2023
Prosecutors tend to settle for plea deals on related charges – pimping, pandering or money laundering – with lesser sentences.
—USA Today, 19 Jan. 2023
See All Example Sentences for lesser
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lesser
Adjective
-
Sabres winger Zach Benson took advantage of Lane Hutson stumbling at the defensive blue line, and grabbed a loose puck before setting up Josh Doan for the opening goal less than five minutes into the game.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
7 May 2026
-
The company offers unsecured loans to customers, the majority of whom earn less than $1,000 a month.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.—
Dana Taylor,
USA TODAY,
1 Mar. 2024
-
Lower gas demand amid increasing supply has led to lower pump prices.—
Frank Witsil,
Detroit Free Press,
19 June 2023
Cite this Entry
“Lesser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lesser. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
