lessen
verb
less·en ˈle-sᵊn 
lessened; lessening ˈles-niŋ
ˈle-sᵊn-iŋ
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The deal, the FTC alleges, would lessen competition in the market and violate antitrust laws. 
Salvador Rodriguez, WSJ, 27 July 2022 But the move also would confuse customers, lessen demand for standard models and wreck their resale value just like the Lighting port did to older iPhones using the Dock Connector when it was introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012. Gordon Kelly, Forbes, 11 June 2022 Gravity acts on all objects equally and there is nothing athletes can do to lessen its effect. Amy Pope, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Feb. 2022 Among them is how much to pull from the fund where the city is expected to have socked away about $82 million by the end of this year to lessen the effect on city services. Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2022 Or your doctor may suggest trying acupuncture or a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) device, which uses electrical currents to help lessen pain. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 19 Jan. 2022 However, evidence suggests these same treatments are losing their effectiveness in the fight against the mutating virus and likely will not work as well to lessen the effect of the disease during the new wave. Anchorage Daily News, 9 Jan. 2022 Seriously though, silk or satin pillowcases do help lessen frizz and breakage. Sable Yong, Allure, 29 Dec. 2021 Taking away those top layers will also help lessen concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and enlarged pores. Emily Orofino, Good Housekeeping, 1 Oct. 2021 See More
Salvador Rodriguez, WSJ, 27 July 2022 But the move also would confuse customers, lessen demand for standard models and wreck their resale value just like the Lighting port did to older iPhones using the Dock Connector when it was introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012. Gordon Kelly, Forbes, 11 June 2022 Gravity acts on all objects equally and there is nothing athletes can do to lessen its effect. Amy Pope, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Feb. 2022 Among them is how much to pull from the fund where the city is expected to have socked away about $82 million by the end of this year to lessen the effect on city services. Alison Dirr, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2022 Or your doctor may suggest trying acupuncture or a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) device, which uses electrical currents to help lessen pain. Claire Gillespie, Health.com, 19 Jan. 2022 However, evidence suggests these same treatments are losing their effectiveness in the fight against the mutating virus and likely will not work as well to lessen the effect of the disease during the new wave. Anchorage Daily News, 9 Jan. 2022 Seriously though, silk or satin pillowcases do help lessen frizz and breakage. Sable Yong, Allure, 29 Dec. 2021 Taking away those top layers will also help lessen concerns like fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and enlarged pores. Emily Orofino, Good Housekeeping, 1 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Kids Definition
lessen
verb
less·en ˈle-sᵊn
lessened; lessening
: to make or become fewer or smaller in amount
lessen
verb
1
as in to reduce
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- reduce
- decrease
- diminish
- lower
- minimize
- deplete
- ease
- dent
- abate
- dwindle
- downsize
- slash
- downscale
- cut
- compress
- drop
- knock down
- shorten
- curtail
- de-escalate
- constrict
- shrink
- pare
- whittle
- abridge
- cut down
- condense
- retrench
- trim
- cut back
- truncate
- crop
- modulate
- abbreviate
- prune
- contract
- modify
- moderate
- nick
- deflate
- clip
- dock
- qualify
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- increase
- augment
- expand
- raise
- amplify
- boost
- enlarge
- escalate
- prolong
- extend
- lengthen
- swell
- inflate
- enhance
- dilate
- add (to)
- intensify
- heighten
- complement
- aggrandize
- supplement
- elongate
- blow up
- distend
- protract
- redouble
2
as in to diminish
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication Synonyms & Similar Words
- diminish
- decrease
- subside
- ease
- shrink
- decline
- fall
- vanish
- moderate
- ebb
- lower
- dwindle
- weaken
- taper
- recede
- wane
- relent
- abate
- fall away
- phase down
- pall
- taper off
- alleviate
- evaporate
- remit
- let up
- constrict
- die (away or down or out)
- de-escalate
- compress
- rachet (down)
- drop (off)
- ratchet (down)
- drain (away)
- collapse
- condense
- slacken
- contract
- relax
- give out
- fade (away)
- slow (down)
- tail (off)
- deflate
- sink
- flag
- fritter (away)
- peter (out)
- melt (away)
- cave (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- increase
- intensify
- grow
- expand
- build
- rise
- accumulate
- escalate
- enlarge
- swell
- mount
- soar
- appear
- snowball
- burgeon
- emerge
- wax
- pick up
- mushroom
- balloon
- lengthen
- bourgeon
- elongate
- distend
- blow up
- show up
3
as in to degrade
to lower in character, dignity, or quality blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters Synonyms & Similar Words
- degrade
- weaken
- dilute
- deteriorate
- subvert
- humiliate
- damage
- mar
- demean
- poison
- debase
- canker
- cheapen
- ruin
- corrupt
- debauch
- destroy
- impair
- abase
- shame
- harm
- vitiate
- pollute
- deprave
- disgrace
- taint
- pervert
- bastardize
- hurt
- warp
- demoralize
- contaminate
- thin
- prostitute
- dirty
- water down
- humble
- tarnish
- profane
- dishonor
- wreck
- spoil
- flaw
- stain
- defile
- begrime
- befoul
- depreciate
- blemish
- take down
- deface
- descend
- downgrade
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improve
- elevate
- better
- enhance
- ameliorate
- uplift
- honor
- exalt
- enrich
- perfect
- amend
- ennoble
- restore
- refine
- clarify
- dignify
- purify
- cleanse
- clean
- respect
- meliorate
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of lessen are abate, decrease, diminish, dwindle, and reduce. While all these words mean "to grow or make less," lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number.
has been unable to lessen her debt
The meanings of abate and lessen largely overlap; however, abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount.
the storm abated
The words decrease and lessen are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity.
slowly decreased the amount of pressure
Although the words diminish and lessen have much in common, diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total.
his visual acuity has diminished
While the synonyms dwindle and lessen are close in meaning, dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller.
their provisions dwindled slowly
The words reduce and lessen can be used in similar contexts, but reduce implies a bringing down or lowering.
you must reduce your caloric intake