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lessen

[les-uhn] / ˈlɛs ən /


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.

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Even within the states’ artificially narrow frame, a 27% share of feature-film box office doesn’t by itself establish that this merger will substantially lessen competition.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 28, 2026

Demonstrating “‘a significant increase in the concentration of firms in that market’ establishes a presumption that the merger will substantially lessen competition,” the judge writes.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 21, 2026

Washing or peeling can lessen the risk of infection, but cooking food to at least 158 degrees reliably kills Cyclospora.

From Slate Jul. 17, 2026

Instead, the government appears to be relying on testimony from multiple convicted felons who have admitted their own involvement and may have substantial incentives to shift blame in an effort to lessen their sentences.

From BBC Jun. 25, 2026

Once the main force of the fire began to lessen, Claire peeked out.

From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy

But by supporting both new and used EVs, it lessens equity concerns — that only people with higher incomes are able to take advantage of the program, Michalek said.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 29, 2026

This actuarial approach lessens the chance you’ll run out of money, and it lets good market returns flow through to higher spending.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 23, 2026

But the problem is that there are good safety reasons for allowing the 350kw super-clip, as it lessens the need for another energy-harvesting strategy known as lift and coast.

From BBC Mar. 29, 2026

"Our study suggests that living near a NPP may carry a measurable cancer risk -- one that lessens with distance," said senior author Petros Koutrakis, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation.

From Science Daily Feb. 24, 2026

I press against my earmuffs until the noise lessens, twenty steps later.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

From a product standpoint, PayPal has pushed passkey verification, which it said has lessened friction customers experience at checkout.

From MarketWatch Jul. 28, 2026

Neither is perfect—no earthly creation is—and each is lessened by its complicity with the institution of slavery.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 19, 2026

Ultimately, if England are able to control the tempo of the game, dominating the ball for large parts, they will be hoping that the time they spend close to their own goal will be lessened.

From BBC Jun. 18, 2026

Since then, the stigma surrounding bargain stores has lessened for both customers and brands.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 23, 2026

Eventually, the bounce lessened to a dribble, and then the dribble sputtered to a trickle, until it finally reduced back to his usual lumbering step.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Yes, it’s too high, he says, but he suggests that his housing plan will deploy a trickle-down approach that starts with lessening landlords’ risks and costs and thus encourages them to build more.

From Slate Jun. 3, 2026

A source close to PIF said the move should not be seen as a sign of any lessening in interest in sports investments.

From BBC Apr. 16, 2026

Ellen Swallow Richards is known as the founder of home economics, which to her meant bringing scientific principles to domestic life, lessening household labor and improving public health.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 9, 2026

What matters now is whether oil comes down and stays there, taking the pressure off inflation and lessening the need for interest-rate hikes, said Privorotsky.

From MarketWatch Apr. 8, 2026

Warmth spread from that point throughout his body, calming him, lessening the pain.

From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner




Vocabulary lists containing lessen


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