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
This intelligence can enable enterprises to craft recovery plans that focus on the highest-value technologies first, helping to lessen the overall impact when incidents occur.
—
Karthik Sj, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Infants under 6 months who are exposed to measles can receive immunoglobulin, antibodies that can lessen or prevent illness, up to six days after the exposure but ideally sooner.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
This could lessen the burden on condo owners who might have the ability to pay over time but can’t afford to take on a massive lump sum.
—Rebecca Liebson, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
Having a backup plan or an emergency fund can help lessen the financial blow.
—Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Karthik Sj, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
Infants under 6 months who are exposed to measles can receive immunoglobulin, antibodies that can lessen or prevent illness, up to six days after the exposure but ideally sooner.
—Neha Mukherjee, CNN, 22 Feb. 2025
This could lessen the burden on condo owners who might have the ability to pay over time but can’t afford to take on a massive lump sum.
—Rebecca Liebson, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
Having a backup plan or an emergency fund can help lessen the financial blow.
—Meagan Drillinger, AFAR Media, 19 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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Or has your life together reduced him to, as in your letter, a list of maddening attributes?—
James Parker,
The Atlantic,
4 Mar. 2025
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Stay safe on wintry roads with these valuable winter driving tips from the NWS, and reduce the risk of accidents during challenging weather conditions.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Orange County Register,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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New York Open Data showed that certain types of delays, such as those related to braking issues, rail and roadbed problems and service delivery, decreased on the A line from September to December.—
Nic F. Anderson,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
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The three main causes of hydroplaning are: Vehicle speed - When a vehicle's speed increases, the tire-traction grip and ability to control the vehicle decreases.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Most microplastics are made on land, where larger plastic debris degrades into tinier and tinier pieces.—
Sam Walters,
Discover Magazine,
7 Mar. 2025
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Globalstar, on the other hand, claims that opening up the 1.6GHz and 2.4GHz bands to other companies risks generating interference with its own satellite systems, potentially degrading the satellite connectivity for iPhones.—
Michael Kan,
PCMAG,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The intense criticism of the COVID response has left a lingering public distrust in health and diminished their influence.—
Tina Reed,
Axios,
10 Mar. 2025
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The seeming smallness of the story does nothing to diminish the film’s bleakness nor blunt its ultimately devastating impact.—
Emma Specter,
Vogue,
9 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the fourth quarter of 2024, WK Kellogg reported net sales of $640 million, a decrease of 1.7% compared to $651 million in the same period in 2023, impacted by a 5.6% volume decline and a 40 basis point headwind from the weakening Canadian dollar.—
Joe Cornell,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
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But the Trump administration's new cuts further weaken a banking watchdog that has been sounding the alarm for years about its decreasing ability to prevent future banking crises.—
Maria Aspan,
NPR,
27 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Crime has since subsided, though its memory hasn’t.—
Aatish Bhatia,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 2025
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The uproar surrounding the election has not subsided since that time, despite Ganim later winning two court-ordered re-do elections in 2024.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Read: The chaos in higher ed is only getting started The situation could deteriorate if current doctoral students start jumping ship.—
Ian Bogost,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
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So organs deteriorate while doctor after doctor rejects them.—
Brian M. Rosenthal,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Brands dilute their messaging to reach the widest audience possible.—
Angelique Kuiper,
Rolling Stone,
5 Mar. 2025
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While the absence of inclusion for people of color, women, and the economically disadvantaged remains painfully evident, true inclusion could potentially dilute the distinct cultural characteristics that have enriched our communities and our nation.—
Lewis M. Rambo,
Twin Cities,
2 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to lessen
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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