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
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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
By vaccinating within three days of the initial exposure, the disease can be stopped or its severity can be lessened, Jones said.
—
Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2025
Contacting these analysts can help executives get up to speed on what is going on with the industry overall and lessen their technical learning curve.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
During recovery and six hours after surgery, melatonin also lessened anxiety relative to placebo.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Cities have public transit systems to reduce congestion, lessen their carbon footprint, and give equal access to opportunities to people who may not be able to drive or afford a car.
—Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Mar. 2025
Contacting these analysts can help executives get up to speed on what is going on with the industry overall and lessen their technical learning curve.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025
During recovery and six hours after surgery, melatonin also lessened anxiety relative to placebo.
—Allison Herries, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2025
Cities have public transit systems to reduce congestion, lessen their carbon footprint, and give equal access to opportunities to people who may not be able to drive or afford a car.
—Cicely Jones, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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This should reduce prep time from over 24 hours to about 15 minutes.—
Sarah Bence,
Verywell Health,
28 Mar. 2025
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The tax cuts that the Legislature is pushing through this session, including the property tax relief bill, could reduce the state’s general fund by about $450 million.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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And the over-all number of abortions in the U.S. may eventually decrease as a result of Dobbs.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
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On the other hand, just 5 percent said tariffs would decrease prices in the short term, and 30 percent said the policy would lower prices in the long term.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Government lawyers argue that Meta's services have degraded in quality in part because of its dominant position in the marketplace.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
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According to the National Institutes of Health, ALS progressively degrades, then kills nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.—
Natalie Neysa Alund,
USA Today,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The previous six champions were all diminished the following season by either injuries or significant roster changes.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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But the same things that prevent parents from maintaining employment or housing — especially substance abuse and mental illness — often inhibit them from engaging in services, while also diminishing their ability to protect and care for their children.—
Emily Putnam-Hornstein and Naomi Schaefer Riley,
Twin Cities,
13 Apr. 2025
Verb
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But that progress stalled out around the turn of the year, which weakened the case for further rate cuts and ultimately prompted the Fed to stand pat in January.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
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More broadly, consumer sentiment has declined and retail sales growth has weakened, reflecting the uncertainty of customers over where the economy is headed.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While the threat of more tornadoes has subsided in the Great Plains, fire danger remains elevated Monday in the region.—
Ginger Zee,
ABC News,
17 Mar. 2025
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Inflation, which went wild post-Covid, subsided in February, according to data yesterday that gave markets a brief reprieve.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
13 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The deteriorating conditions at Montlake stem from a new policy at the Commerce Department that says Secretary Howard Lutnick must personally approve all contracts over $100,000.—
Lisa Song,
ProPublica,
11 Apr. 2025
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Recent studies, including one at Ball State University, have found a correlation between stock market downturns and deteriorating mental health among retirees, including insomnia and depression.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
Verb
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To take apple cider vinegar before bed, dilute it in water and drink the mixture 2-3 hours before bed to prevent acid reflux.—
Johna Burdeos,
Health,
7 Apr. 2025
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As the water diluted the stains, the fabric faded to a soft pink.—
Rebecca Ruth Gould,
JSTOR Daily,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
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