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 gradual repayment will lessen an immediate budget strain.

From Los Angeles Times

Writing about their failures, foibles and frustrations did not lessen the hold that these three men and their movie magic have on Fischer.

From Los Angeles Times

As the rain lessened, the wind increased, making holes 12 to 16 particularly challenging.

From Los Angeles Times

Some believe the arrest will give the Royal Family and the Palace some breathing space, and that the treatment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as just-another-suspect will lessen the damage done.

From BBC

Foreign dependence on the dollar has lessened—but it hasn’t gone away.

From Barron's

lessen

Example Sentences

Related Words