Definitions

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.

Bankers leading an IPO typically want to match buyers and sellers for about 10% of the shares sold before opening trading to lessen volatility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

Pfizer is hopeful that the experimental drug can lessen the side effects like nausea and diarrhea that occur with GLP-1s.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 6, 2026

“Working together may not have been in the cards for us; however, that does not lessen my enthusiasm for the band,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

The researchers identified several practical steps consumers can take to lessen the environmental impact of washing dishes:

From Science Daily • Jun. 1, 2026

“Oh Jody, Ah can’t do nothin’ wid no store lessen youse there.

From "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston

Vocabulary lists containing lessen

Going Down: Synonyms for "Fall"

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Chop Chop: Synonyms for "Cut"

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Road Trip Magical Mystery List A

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