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
In a statement, a DHS spokesperson said conditions in Haiti would now allow people to return but did not explain what exactly had changed to lessen the risk.
—
Fredlyn Pierre Louis, NBC news, 27 June 2025
In her closing address, prosecutor Rogers said no evidence was offered suggesting expelling tainted food can lessen the impact of amanita toxin.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
No one knows the answer, not even Thibodeaux himself, but that hasn't lessened his confidence, not one iota.
—Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
The future of gene therapy At Miami-Dade’s public hospital system Jackson Health, new advancements in genetic research recently helped doctors modify a patient’s blood cells to lessen the effects of sickle cell disease, a painful blood disorder that can lead to life-threatening complications.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Fredlyn Pierre Louis, NBC news, 27 June 2025
In her closing address, prosecutor Rogers said no evidence was offered suggesting expelling tainted food can lessen the impact of amanita toxin.
—Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 21 June 2025
No one knows the answer, not even Thibodeaux himself, but that hasn't lessened his confidence, not one iota.
—Geoffrey Knox, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
The future of gene therapy At Miami-Dade’s public hospital system Jackson Health, new advancements in genetic research recently helped doctors modify a patient’s blood cells to lessen the effects of sickle cell disease, a painful blood disorder that can lead to life-threatening complications.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for lessen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen
Verb
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The move comes amid mounting frustration with the country’s law enforcement, which for decades has faced allegations of abuse — including thousands of cases of a still-prevalent torture mechanism used during apartheid — and yet failed to reduce crime.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
14 July 2025
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The maximum $6,000 senior bonus deduction is then reduced by $900 in this example to reach a senior deduction of $5,100.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Following Monday's trade, Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust will own 220 shares of GS, decreasing its weighting to about 4.35% from about 4.75%.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
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Revenue has remained relatively stagnant, decreasing slightly from $153 million to $152 million over the past year.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Customer service was once rated among the highest in the American Customer Satisfaction Index – until relentless budget cuts started to degrade it.—
Teresa Ghilarducci,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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In 1984, Francis Crick described a biological conundrum: Memories last years, while most molecules degrade in days or weeks.—
Ajdina Halilovic,
Wired News,
6 July 2025
Verb
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The best wrinkle creams on Amazon prove that drugstore prices don't diminish efficacy.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
8 July 2025
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Incentives for the best and brightest foreign science students to come to the U.S. are diminishing at the same time its competitors are increasing their efforts to attract the strongest STEM researchers.—
Marc Zimmer,
The Conversation,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is 86 years-old and his political power is weakened following the short war with Israel.—
Jackie Northam,
NPR,
9 July 2025
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The June jobs report showed strong headline numbers, but the underlying data pointed to a weakening labor market.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
9 July 2025
Verb
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The excitement over Tesla’s robotaxi launch is subsiding as fewer social media videos are posted.—
Christiaan Hetzner,
Fortune,
2 July 2025
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Investors have cheered as stocks have swiftly recovered to fresh highs and volatility has subsided.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
Verb
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The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency for Ruidoso on Tuesday, warning of rapidly deteriorating conditions and rising river levels that threatened homes and businesses.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
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This is where matters deteriorated, as PSG faced losing the player for nothing, having committed hundreds of millions to his transfer fee, salary and bonuses over the years.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Verb
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Fill the glass with ice, and repeat with the other glass. 3: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, stir together the Earl Grey simple syrup, lime juice and smoked paprika until thoroughly chilled and diluted, about 15 seconds.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 July 2025
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Such critics are concerned that our approach might dilute the sense of urgency necessary and undermine public messaging.—
Francesco Rubino,
Time,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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