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
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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These layoffs reduced staffing at some local weather forecast offices to threadbare levels, causing some to reduce their services.—
Andrew Freedman,
Axios,
17 Mar. 2025
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This eliminates the need for multiple VAT registrations, reducing compliance costs and administrative burdens.—
Aleksandra Bal,
Forbes,
16 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 an all-staff e-mail, Dudek wrote: Criticism, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness are the four forces that can end any relationship and weaken any institution. . .—
E. Tammy Kim,
The New Yorker,
11 Mar. 2025
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Signing Verdugo now would give the Yankees one less option to fill the Stanton void and weaken their lineup even more.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
11 Mar. 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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Its effects weren’t confined to California—air quality deteriorated in neighboring states, and supply chain disruptions followed.—
Joel Carboni,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Despite overcoming the initial infection, Thomas’ condition deteriorated.—
Amy McGorry,
Fox News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Old-timers’ fears of diversity diluting the unique Vienna affect — the blend of instruments being a wonder of the orchestral world — proved unsurprisingly unfounded.—
Mark Swed,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2025
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Expand only when revenue and opportunity justify it, allowing growth without diluting your brand or abandoning your core audience.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
13 Mar. 2025
Articles Related to lessen
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
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