1
as in reducing
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2
as in depreciation
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1
as in decreasing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
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2
as in diminishing
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication
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3
as in weakening
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessening
Mike Deehan, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
The process improves growing conditions by reducing thatch, increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, smoothing bumps in the lawn, and lessening the need for fertilizer.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
Verb
The question would increase the minimum wage for tipped workers to the standard minimum wage — potentially lessening workers' reliance on tips.
—Mike Deehan, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024
The process improves growing conditions by reducing thatch, increasing the amount of organic matter in the soil, smoothing bumps in the lawn, and lessening the need for fertilizer.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessening
Verb
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Automated Back-Office Operations AI uses advanced analytics and machine learning to add efficiency to back-office operations, increasing productivity and reducing costs.Babu Sivadasan, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
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Trekking poles, like the Cascade Mountain Lightweight Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Trekking Poles that are on sale for $25, offer stability on uneven terrain, reducing strain on joints.Karthika Gupta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2024
Verb
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China has struggled with looming deflationary pressures due to a prolonged real estate downturn and weakening domestic consumer confidence.Anniek Bao,Sonia Heng, CNBC, 4 Oct. 2024
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So far, that has meant assaulting Gaza and weakening Hamas, before obliterating Hezbollah’s command structure, including killing its powerful leader Hassan Nasrallah.Alexander Smith, NBC News, 2 Oct. 2024
Noun
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This decrease is attributed to a reduction in transactions at existing centers.Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
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By 2050, Tanzania may experience significant drought and more intense flooding, which could lead to a widespread decrease in agriculture and a lowering of the gross domestic product by up to 18 percent.New York Times, New York Times, 4 Nov. 2024
Verb
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Simultaneously, her greener-than-green sous chef Lucia (Barbie Ferreira) — another hire by Andreas — flirts up a storm with their financer and starts testing her new boss’s rapidly diminishing patience.Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2024
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Chief among them is the war in Ukraine, where Moscow is intent on diminishing popular support among Americans for Ukrainian independence.Daniel Klaidman, CBS News, 3 Oct. 2024
Verb
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Aside from being the target of Israeli airstrikes at present, Lebanon’s ongoing woes are marked by a severe economic crisis that in 2019 sparked widespread protests against government corruption, financial mismanagement and the deteriorating quality of life.Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
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Lebanon’s recent instability began with the economic crisis of 2019, which sparked widespread protests against government corruption, financial mismanagement, and the deteriorating quality of life, which was further impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic a few months later.Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Always dry thoroughly, heat on the stovetop until completely dry, and apply a thin layer of oil or shortening.Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024
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Scatter the shortening over the top and process until the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal, about 10 seconds.Kathryn Gregory, The Courier-Journal, 31 Oct. 2024
Noun
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That in turn pushes prices lower and causes a further diminution in liquidity supply.Kevin Coldiron, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
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The same diminution is currently happening to the composition of an opening paragraph with a clear thesis statement.Stephen Marche, The Atlantic, 27 Sep. 2024
Verb
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The labor market ended a monthslong slowdown, rebuking any lingering concern about an imminent recession and easing pressure on the Federal Reserve to stimulate the economy with rapid-fire interest rate cuts, experts said.Max Zahn, ABC News, 4 Oct. 2024
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Upgrading the interchange, MAG said, would allow the plant to operate at full capacity while easing and improving traffic flow.Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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