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.

Lessen food waste by using frozen vegetables and proteins.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2023

“Whut you need two mules fuh? Lessen you aims to swap off dis one.”

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

Lessen the stress on the adverbs and increase it on the verbs, and we have E1.

From Anglo-Saxon Grammar and Exercise Book with Inflections, Syntax, Selections for Reading, and Glossary by Smith, C. Alphonso (Charles Alphonso)

Lessen, les′n, v.t. to make less, in any sense: to weaken: to degrade.—v.i. to become less, shrink.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Lessen, decrease, diminish, reduce, abate, curtail, moderate, mitigate, palliate.

From The Century Vocabulary Builder by Bachelor, Joseph M. (Joseph Morris)

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