lessen

verb

less·​en ˈle-sᵊn 

lessened; lessening ˈle-sᵊn-iŋ 

ˈles-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease

The pain will lessen over time.

transitive verb

1

: to reduce in size, extent, or degree

lessen tensions between nations

2

a

archaic : to represent as of little value

b

: to lower in status or dignity : degrade

Synonyms

• abate
• de-escalate
• decrease
• dent
• deplete
• diminish
• downscale
• downsize
• drop
• dwindle
• ease
• knock down
• lower
• reduce

Choose the Right Synonym for lessen

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less.

decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.

slowly decreased the amount of pressure

lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.

has been unable to lessen her debt

diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.

his visual acuity has diminished

reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.

you must reduce your caloric intake

abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.

the storm abated

dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.

their provisions dwindled slowly

Examples of lessen in a Sentence

Medication helps lessen the severity of the symptoms.

we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect

Recent Examples on the Web

Thankfully, there was a production guy beneath the stage who was able to help lessen the impact of the fall, while also helping him up. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

India is a crucial part of the company’s effort to lessen its reliance on China, where risks have grown along with Beijing’s tensions with the U.S. Three of Apple’s suppliers—Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group and Pegatron Corp., and homegrown Tata Electronics—assemble iPhones in southern India. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune Asia, 29 Oct. 2024

This is how these natural disasters across the United States affect your wallet and some ways to lessen the burden. —Cicely Jones, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

Agronomists who have tried for decades to lessen reliance on synthetic chemicals understand that overuse of pesticides is rooted in more complex challenges, like community power dynamics, erratic weather, and labor shortages. —Stephen Robert Miller, WIRED, 24 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

lessen

verb

less·​en ˈles-ᵊn 

lessened; lessening ˈles-niŋ 

-ᵊn-iŋ

: to make or become less