as in diminished
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in reduced
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreased
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 weakened
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessened
Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
The researchers lessened the overall impact of errors brought on by flaws in the experimental apparatus by regulating the laser pulse patterns.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2024
There are no expectations for the A’s to contend so the pressure is significantly lessened.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024
Although that number eventually lessened due to the efforts of individual states and colleges, the reduction in applications still stood at about 9% near the end of this year’s admission cycle.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Precipitation lessened drought conditions across some western states and regions around the northern Great Plains, Great Lakes and central Appalachians, the agency added.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Your symptoms typically are lessened by having the flu shot, and the duration also can be shortened.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Dec. 2024
When the screaming lessened, some women hugged one another as another recorded herself with her cell phone still screaming.
—Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Often his own harshest critic, the Briton took full accountability — maybe even too much — for mistakes at points through the year that temporarily lessened the pressure on Verstappen.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Verb
The brutal workload was lessened slightly by an edict from Nickelodeon.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 23 Dec. 2024
The researchers lessened the overall impact of errors brought on by flaws in the experimental apparatus by regulating the laser pulse patterns.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 12 Dec. 2024
There are no expectations for the A’s to contend so the pressure is significantly lessened.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 5 Dec. 2024
Although that number eventually lessened due to the efforts of individual states and colleges, the reduction in applications still stood at about 9% near the end of this year’s admission cycle.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
Precipitation lessened drought conditions across some western states and regions around the northern Great Plains, Great Lakes and central Appalachians, the agency added.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 6 Dec. 2024
Your symptoms typically are lessened by having the flu shot, and the duration also can be shortened.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 5 Dec. 2024
When the screaming lessened, some women hugged one another as another recorded herself with her cell phone still screaming.
—Heather Hunter, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024
Often his own harshest critic, the Briton took full accountability — maybe even too much — for mistakes at points through the year that temporarily lessened the pressure on Verstappen.
—Luke Smith, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
-
O'Reilly said that the police department reduced the number of abuse complaints and use of Taser, which had been leading to costly lawsuits.—
Niraj Warikoo,
Detroit Free Press,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Liver damage can be reduced if the person stops drinking.—
George Petras,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Those at high-risk for listeria infection are newborns, those who are pregnant, have weakened immune systems, and those aged 65 or older.—
Mike Snider,
USA TODAY,
3 Jan. 2025
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But the militants, while greatly weakened, have repeatedly regrouped, often after Israeli forces withdraw from areas.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Recession fears have diminished, inflation is trending back toward 2 percent, and the labor market has rebalanced, but remains strong.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
26 Dec. 2024
-
The theme of running recurred, as did moments of isolation, with Abraham appearing preoccupied and diminished, unable to fully participate as the others moved around him.—
Jennifer Homans,
The New Yorker,
23 Dec. 2024
Verb
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The inside story of how this relationship deteriorated is worth a read.—
Chris Branch,
The Athletic,
8 Jan. 2025
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The increase in tests came as relations with the United States and its regional allies deteriorated and Pyongyang pulled closer to Russia.—
David Brennan,
ABC News,
7 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Its pandemic subsided in 1969, but the virus continued to circulate, eventually becoming a part of the regular seasonal flu strain.—
Amanda Castro,
Newsweek,
27 Dec. 2024
-
When the waves finally subsided, there was nothing but silence.—
Michael Fiorentino,
NBC News,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
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When the tile degraded, the gaps were filled in with livestock bones.—
Sonja Anderson,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 Dec. 2024
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That’s good news, considering phosphorous pollution has degraded water quality in the Everglades for decades and remains a challenge.—
Rebecca Blackwell,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Dec. 2024
Verb
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One of the people who lost his job at NOAA in late February was working on models to better predict severe weather, like the storm that felled my tree.—
Megha Satyanarayana,
Scientific American,
7 Mar. 2025
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The coalition will be under pressure to deliver results and avoid the infighting that has felled previous governments.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
28 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The store was shut during the COVID-19 pandemic and was reopened briefly after Shanghai eased lockdown measures.—
Tianwei Zhang,
WWD,
6 Jan. 2025
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Soon after, tensions eased, and Carlsen came to New York to compete in FIDE’s World Rapid and Blitz Championship.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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