1
as in reducing
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Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in depreciation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessening
Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025
While electrolytes are crucial for replenishing after a night out, some brands have taken it a step further, developing products that could impact how the body processes alcohol — whether via the gut or the liver — and in turn preventing or lessening the effects of the eventual hangover.
—Emily Burns, WWD, 31 Dec. 2024
When storms hit, sending surges as high as 15 feet onto the beach, these plants stabilize the dunes, limiting beach erosion and lessening potential flooding.
—Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
These legislative actions prove Maryland’s commitment to lessening PFAS exposure across various sectors.
—Jonathan Sharp, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and stress levels, lessening the risk of cardiovascular problems.
—Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Grant can take on tougher defensive assignments, lessening the load defensively for someone like Thompson.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
In other words, people may feel more satisfied after having a solid sweet, lessening the chances of sugar overconsumption and poor health outcomes.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, lessening winds and increasing humidity have helped firefighters make progress in the battle against the Franklin fire in Malibu.
—Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
That bed of gravel allows rainwater to soak into the ground, lessening runoff, and a paver walkway is a good way to handle a slope.
—Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025
While electrolytes are crucial for replenishing after a night out, some brands have taken it a step further, developing products that could impact how the body processes alcohol — whether via the gut or the liver — and in turn preventing or lessening the effects of the eventual hangover.
—Emily Burns, WWD, 31 Dec. 2024
When storms hit, sending surges as high as 15 feet onto the beach, these plants stabilize the dunes, limiting beach erosion and lessening potential flooding.
—Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024
These legislative actions prove Maryland’s commitment to lessening PFAS exposure across various sectors.
—Jonathan Sharp, Baltimore Sun, 23 Dec. 2024
Regular physical activity can lower blood pressure and stress levels, lessening the risk of cardiovascular problems.
—Irene S. Levine, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Grant can take on tougher defensive assignments, lessening the load defensively for someone like Thompson.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
In other words, people may feel more satisfied after having a solid sweet, lessening the chances of sugar overconsumption and poor health outcomes.
—Maggie O'Neill, Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, lessening winds and increasing humidity have helped firefighters make progress in the battle against the Franklin fire in Malibu.
—Hunter Clauss, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessening
Verb
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Studies show these reforms—reducing minimum parking requirements, legalizing ADUs, and simplifying permitting processes—resulted in more housing.—
Adam A. Millsap,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
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State governments, as well as drug manufacturers, provide financial help to the uninsured, often reducing the cost of PrEP medicines to zero.—
James K. Glassman,
Boston Herald,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Moffett also said artificial intelligence isn’t driving an upgrade cycle as hoped, noting that there is weakening demand in China along with antitrust concerns.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
8 Jan. 2025
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With high expectations for future new orders along with expanding current new orders, the outlooks for material handling and supply chain industries are positive, despite some weakening in the December MHI BAI report.—
Jason Schenker,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The most dramatic decrease was among those aged 15 to 24, where the divorce rate dropped from 47.2 per 1,000 to 19.7 per 1,000.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
21 Mar. 2025
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That’s an 80% decrease from 2003 when there were 7,465 robberies.—
Michael Loria,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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However, as the FOMC has cut interest rates since last summer, that risk though material today, is diminishing.—
Simon Moore,
Forbes,
7 Jan. 2025
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The impact of diminishing water resources will not only impact drinking water but also sanitation and hygiene, hydroelectricity, crop growth and food supply.—
Dan Lambe,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The regulations, enacted by the Obama administration, prevented internet providers from degrading competitors’ services.—
Ian Prasad Philbrick,
New York Times,
3 Jan. 2025
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But Israel has drifted far from this vision, culminating in its current government’s outspoken goal of annexing the West Bank, while degrading the rights of Arab Israelis.—
Ben Krull,
New York Daily News,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
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Her body is deteriorating in front of us, and yet my daughter and her vet say, if (the dog) looks happy, leave her be.—
Joan Morris,
The Mercury News,
30 Dec. 2024
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With the relationship between the two companies deteriorating, Qualcomm may have to consider using another architecture before its ALA expires in 2033.—
Jim McGregor,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Line an 8-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil and grease foil with either butter or vegetable shortening.—
Rowan Briggs,
The Mercury News,
11 Feb. 2025
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Telomere shortening is a natural part of cell biology.—
Ethan Freedman,
Popular Science,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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After noticing a global gap in effective and trusted protection when faced with financial diminution, the company honed in on the product, refining it to meet the needs of employees worldwide.—
Ethan Stone,
USA TODAY,
12 Mar. 2025
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What’s really harmful, in my estimation, is the uncertainty of it all and the diminution of trust our strongest allies will have in the United States for years to come.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes,
4 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
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