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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lessen differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lessen are abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

When can abate be used instead of lessen?

The meanings of abate and lessen largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

When is decrease a more appropriate choice than lessen?

The words decrease and lessen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

In what contexts can diminish take the place of lessen?

Although the words diminish and lessen have much in common, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

Where would dwindle be a reasonable alternative to lessen?

While the synonyms dwindle and lessen are close in meaning, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

When might reduce be a better fit than lessen?

The words reduce and lessen can be used in similar contexts, but reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

Examples 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 lessen In Los Angeles, debris basins designed to catch some of the materials sliding down the mountain to lessen the threat of landslide hazards have been built in Mount Wilson and near Eaton Canyon. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 14 Jan. 2025 Reducing greenhouse gas emissions helps lessen the impacts of climate change, which also has indirect health benefits.3 7. Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025 Since then, some evacuation orders have been downgraded or lifted completely across both the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, including for the area to the west of North Sepulveda Boulevard and I-405, which has been lessened to a warning. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025 And last but not least Already breaking my New Year’s resolution to lessen my social media scrolling, thanks to these viral videos of West Coast Swing. Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 6 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lessen 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
  • Studies show that cigarettes with lower nicotine content reduce people’s dependence on nicotine and can help alleviate some of the cravings associated with withdrawal.
    Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Tailor For Expense Reduction Messaging When crafting your capabilities statement, customize it to showcase how your business can help agencies reduce costs: • Use metrics to quantify savings from previous contracts.
    Col. Rafael Marrero, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • These tremendous reductions have been linked to fewer respiratory illnesses, decreased hospital visits, and ultimately, lives saved and reducing climate impacts.
    Margo T. Oge, Forbes, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Range within the city is only around 120 miles (193 km) while cruising around on the freeway will decrease that number further to 71 miles (114 km).
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Keeping your phone fully charged or fully discharging the battery will degrade it slightly faster, and regularly swinging between full and empty will shorten its life.
    Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Moreover, Trump’s penchant for degrading the reputation of those around him will likely frustrate efforts by Vance to re-elevate his office.
    Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The new aid package swiftly follows Donald Trump's inauguration as president of the United States once more, and U.S. support for Ukraine could diminish soon.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Health experts fear that a US withdrawal from the agency would significantly diminish the agency's resources and capabilities, leave the world more vulnerable to health threats, and isolate the US, hurting its own interests and leaving the country less prepared to respond to another pandemic.
    Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • With rising conflicts and weakened diplomacy, the global order is set to fragment in 2025, intensifying economic volatility.
    Sarwant Singh, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Beijing has also been working to repair ties with American allies like Japan to try to weaken the security alliances forged by the Biden administration to constrain China.
    David Pierson, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Happiness is something fans appear to be embracing on Erika these days, with the onslaught of social media negativity subsiding in favor of praise.
    Dave Quinn, People.com, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Following last year's devastating tornadoes and storms, insurance challenges are unlikely to subside anytime soon.
    Linh Ta, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That same month, Reinhart flew back home to Ohio as her grandmother’s health was deteriorating.
    Julia Sullivan, SELF, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Conditions in Pensacola were deteriorating as of Tuesday morning, state officials said.
    Jeffrey Schweers, Orlando Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Over-reliance on logos weakens brands over time, just as an over-saturation of stores dilutes their allure.
    Stéphane JG Girod, Forbes, 3 Jan. 2025
  • Chlorine beach is an excellent disinfectant for the kitchen but even if it is diluted with water, surfaces should be rinsed before they are used for food preparation.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near lessen

Cite this Entry

“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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