lessen

[les-uhn] / ˈlɛs ən /

VERB

lower, reduce

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abate curtail decrease dilute diminish dwindle ease erode impair lighten minimize mitigate narrow shrink slacken taper off weaken

STRONG

abridge amputate attenuate clip close contract crop cut de-escalate decline degrade downsize drain minify moderate soft pedal taper thin truncate

WEAK

become smaller cut back die down grow less roll back slack up slow down take the bite out take the edge off take the sting out wind down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase intensify irritate lengthen prolong strengthen worsen

STRONG

go up rise stretch

WEAK

raise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The fear is that AI tools will both lessen the need for specialized software applications and reduce headcount at the organizations which currently rely on them.

From Barron's • May 21, 2026

But in 2009, at the same time she was visiting Epstein in jail, she appears to have begun to lessen her financial dependence on him, by taking to the air.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

To lessen your risk of infection, keep wild rodents out of your home, workplace, shed, cabin, car or other enclosed spaces.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

To lessen earnings volatility, Mitsui O.S.K. is aiming to grow businesses that can generate stable cash flows, such as real estate and LNG shipping, where long-term contracts are common.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026

But that did not lessen the sadness I felt at not being able to make her life more comfortable, or the pain of not being able to lay her to rest.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Vocabulary lists containing lessen

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