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.

Lawyers for TV station giant Nexstar, which owns KTLA, argued that last month’s mammoth merger with Tegna would not lessen competition.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

"There will probably be a moment where we see it return elsewhere and lessen the impact of the conflict if it continues," she added.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 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

I like to think of that moment in Mrs. Croft’s parlor as the moment when the distance between Mala and me began to lessen.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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