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
lessens
verb
1
as in reduces
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
- reduces
- decreases
- diminishes
- lowers
- depletes
- eases
- minimizes
- dwindles
- abates
- downsizes
- dents
- compresses
- shortens
- drops
- cuts
- slashes
- constricts
- curtails
- shrinks
- knocks down
- downscales
- de-escalates
- condenses
- pares
- abridges
- whittles
- truncates
- abbreviates
- contracts
- modulates
- modifies
- crops
- deflates
- cuts down
- nicks
- trims
- retrenches
- docks
- prunes
- cuts back
- clips
- qualifies
- moderates
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- increases
- expands
- enlarges
- augments
- amplifies
- boosts
- raises
- extends
- escalates
- prolongs
- lengthens
- dilates
- inflates
- enhances
- swells
- elongates
- heightens
- complements
- intensifies
- adds (to)
- aggrandizes
- blows up
- distends
- supplements
- protracts
- redoubles
2
as in diminishes
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication Synonyms & Similar Words
- diminishes
- decreases
- subsides
- eases
- shrinks
- declines
- falls
- vanishes
- lowers
- recedes
- ebbs
- weakens
- wanes
- dwindles
- tapers
- relents
- palls
- moderates
- abates
- tapers off
- phases down
- falls away
- evaporates
- remits
- constricts
- lets up
- alleviates
- compresses
- de-escalates
- ratchets (down)
- rachets (down)
- relaxes
- condenses
- collapses
- dies (away or down or out)
- drops (off)
- slackens
- drains (away)
- contracts
- gives out
- deflates
- slows (down)
- flags
- tails (off)
- sinks
- fritters (away)
- fades (away)
- peters (out)
- melts (away)
- caves (in)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- increases
- grows
- rises
- expands
- intensifies
- enlarges
- builds
- accumulates
- escalates
- swells
- soars
- appears
- emerges
- mounts
- mushrooms
- waxes
- picks up
- lengthens
- bourgeons
- elongates
- burgeons
- snowballs
- balloons
- distends
- shows up
- blows up
3
as in degrades
to lower in character, dignity, or quality blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters Synonyms & Similar Words
- degrades
- weakens
- dilutes
- deteriorates
- subverts
- humiliates
- corrupts
- demeans
- debases
- destroys
- poisons
- damages
- debauches
- cheapens
- cankers
- vitiates
- impairs
- thins
- pollutes
- shames
- taints
- depraves
- disgraces
- humbles
- perverts
- ruins
- harms
- bastardizes
- abases
- demoralizes
- warps
- mars
- prostitutes
- hurts
- contaminates
- dirties
- profanes
- tarnishes
- dishonors
- wrecks
- flaws
- waters down
- defiles
- spoils
- depreciates
- befouls
- begrimes
- descends
- stains
- defaces
- blemishes
- downgrades
- takes down
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- improves
- enhances
- elevates
- uplifts
- ennobles
- ameliorates
- exalts
- enriches
- dignifies
- honors
- restores
- perfects
- refines
- clarifies
- amends
- cleans
- betters
- purifies
- cleanses
- respects
- meliorates