lessen

verb

less·​en ˈle-sᵊn How to pronounce lessen (audio)
lessened; lessening ˈle-sᵊn-iŋ How to pronounce lessen (audio)
ˈles-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease
The pain will lessen over time.

transitive verb

1
: to reduce in size, extent, or degree
lessen tensions between nations
2
a
archaic : to represent as of little value
b
: to lower in status or dignity : degrade
Choose the Right Synonym for lessen

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less.

decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Examples of lessen in a Sentence

Medication helps lessen the severity of the symptoms. we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s reason to believe that Tesla’s growth in China — and thus Musk’s need to stay in its government’s good graces — may lessen over time. Alan Ohnsman, Forbes, 6 Feb. 2025 According to the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, cat owners can lessen the impacts an outdoor cat can have on the environment, by training their felines to walk on a leash. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2025 Now is not the time for Colorado to lessen its support for immigrants without legal status who have proven themselves to be good members of the community even though their arrival was unlawful. The Denver Post Editorial Board, The Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2025 That year, the cost matrix shifted gradually to taxpayers under a new law authored by Democrats to lessen the burden on inmates and encourage family connections. John Frank, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for lessen 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lessen was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near lessen

Cite this Entry

“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lessen. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

lessen

verb
less·​en ˈles-ᵊn How to pronounce lessen (audio)
lessened; lessening ˈles-niŋ How to pronounce lessen (audio)
-ᵊn-iŋ
: to make or become less

More from Merriam-Webster on lessen

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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