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.

You cannot take the pain out of writing, but you can lessen some of the grunt work and redirect your energy, and despair, elsewhere.

From Slate • May 24, 2026

The European Union and Mexico on Friday signed a deal reducing tariffs on each other's goods as both seek to lessen their dependence on trade with the United States.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

The Advancing Water Reuse Act seeks to lessen the local impacts of water-guzzling operations like data centers amid widespread U.S. drought conditions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

To lessen your risk of infection, keep wild rodents out of your home and other enclosed spaces by sealing any holes and placing snap traps.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

He’d rinsed out his clothes earlier to lessen their scent and hung them from a tree to dry.

From "Moon Over Manifest" by Clare Vanderpool

Vocabulary lists containing lessen

Going Down: Synonyms for "Fall"

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