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.

Japan also benefits from the push to find other sources of critical minerals and lessen reliance on China.

From Barron's • May 20, 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

“This is an opportunity to lessen that burden on the residents.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

And the time horizon for the hoped-for boost in economic productivity that would lessen price pressures is highly uncertain.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Virchow was the perfect role model for anyone who wanted to change the world, or at least lessen the inequality between the rich and poor.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

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