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.

White House spokesman Kush Desai said the administration has been working with business representatives on how to lessen the impact of the war.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

“I think the government needs to interact with the oil and fuel world and talk about how they can take this pain away from us, or at least try to lessen this blow,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

These licensees could choose to lessen their reliance on Arm’s designs, though doing so would be difficult and require a slow, multi-year shift due to a lack of premium alternatives, Morgan Stanley said.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

And some opponents of the term “functional cure” say it may lessen the urgency for achieving the ultimate goal: a complete cure.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

The mattress was firm and comfortable and I lay without moving, hardly breathing, happy in feeling the pain lessen.

From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway

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