1
as in to reduce
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 to decrease
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 to degrade
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 lessen
Looking to not be burdened with the massive contract, the Bucks instead decided to cut Lillard and spread out his money over five seasons, lessening the financial impact of the deal.
—
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Also, Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were active against the Giants, which lessens his appeal going forward.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025
The shutdown has delayed the release of key economic data, such as the September jobs report that was expected Friday, and therefore lessened the amount of information available for the Fed ahead of its next interest rate decision.
—Hugh Leask,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Therefore, lessening the impact of food production on the planet while also making enough to feed the global population will take planning and a coordinated effort among nations, Hicks said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025
Also, Taysom Hill and Foster Moreau were active against the Giants, which lessens his appeal going forward.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2025
The shutdown has delayed the release of key economic data, such as the September jobs report that was expected Friday, and therefore lessened the amount of information available for the Fed ahead of its next interest rate decision.
—Hugh Leask,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2025
Therefore, lessening the impact of food production on the planet while also making enough to feed the global population will take planning and a coordinated effort among nations, Hicks said.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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Onboarding can be personalized based on the team and role, helping people get productive faster and reducing the need for additional training.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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This means targeted improvements could significantly reduce overall pollution without an industry-wide overhaul.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, parlay bets are getting more complicated as time goes on, decreasing the chances of winning.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
11 Oct. 2025
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In early January, the restuarant closed for two weeks to regroup after sales decreased by 37%.—
Matthew Cupelli,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Douglass advises against starting from the assumption that people arrive somewhere and immediately begin to degrade the environment.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
8 Oct. 2025
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This process degrades the mirrors' reflectivity and clarity over time, so technicians regularly recoat and polish them to ensure the best precision.—
Kenna Hughes-Castleberry,
Space.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Bean and squash yields (as measured by weight) were reduced when intercropped with maize, while maize yields were only slightly diminished when intercropped.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
14 Oct. 2025
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Give ample space to large vehicles - Trucks or buses can create a water spray that diminishes visibility.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But with her coalition prospects in doubt, and the party weakened by scandal and voter frustration, her route to Japan’s top job is far from assured.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
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Studies have found that, in some instances, background noise can weaken territorial responses in males.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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By day 10, my entire nervous system was hijacked—every fiber of my being was at ease, and all cravings subsided.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Oct. 2025
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Their base case assumes that recovery will resume once uncertainty subsides.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Run defense by the safety opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick also has deteriorated.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
9 Oct. 2025
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The plan has seen rapid growth in recent years as California’s insurance market has deteriorated, with companies pulling back business in the state due to rising risks from climate change, losses caused by major wildfires and other factors.—
Stephen Hobbs,
Sacbee.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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But in some facilities, a much cheaper liquid is used to dilute it or substitute for it.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
10 Oct. 2025
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And while the study doesn't answer the question of whether an animal feeding operation is built in a certain community or whether a certain community settles around it, Goldstein says that doesn’t dilute the study’s take-home message.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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