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.

“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

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

This has enabled Pyongyang to lessen dependence on its main long-term backer, China.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

“But the people that were more worried about the labor market—this should probably increase their concern, not lessen it.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 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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