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

With far less data available about the rare strain, health officials said there are fewer medical interventions to lessen its spread.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

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

From Barron's • May 20, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

"A whole lots of folks wonders about that without gitting anywhere. But as I was saying, caint a single doggone drop of paint move out of the factory lessen it comes through Lucius Brockway's hands."

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

Vocabulary lists containing lessen

Going Down: Synonyms for "Fall"

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Road Trip Magical Mystery List A

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