lessened 1 of 2

adjective

as in diminished

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lessened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of lessen
1
as in reduced
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect

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2
as in decreased
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication

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3
as in weakened
to lower in character, dignity, or quality blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lessened
Adjective
Kuminga then saw a combination of injuries and uneven performances lead to lessened playing time before eventually falling out of the rotation altogether. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026 Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress. — Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026 After taking a lessened role in 2025, Texas Tech cornerback Maurion Horn will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining, per multiple reports. — Ty Kaplan, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026 An overloaded dryer leads to lessened airflow and, therefore, extended dry time. — Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
Though the rate of killing has lessened today, with some states restricting the shooting of prairie dogs, they’re still widely considered pests among ranchers. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 21 Sep. 2026 There were three rookie quarterbacks starting the opener in three of the previous five seasons as teams have become quicker to turn over the reins as the differences between the college and pro games have lessened. — ABC News, 7 Sep. 2026 However, nearly everything about the American approach to these concerns has lessened European confidence in Washington’s leadership and decision making. — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 27 Aug. 2026 It's become harder for NFL scouts to evaluate a prospect's hunger, but the fears of how players will react to making money have lessened. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 The safety concerns that come with bipedal robots—such as potentially falling over on a human worker—are lessened because a shipyard environment is staffed with workers who are trained to work around potentially dangerous industrial equipment. — Evan Ackerman, IEEE Spectrum, 17 Aug. 2026 Rutherford shares that, until now, a voyage like his would not have been possible, but warmer climates globally have drastically lessened the ice in the Arctic. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026 Likewise, the respite afforded by the twin hydration breaks has also reduced the need for improvised periods of gentlemanly repose, which in turn has lessened the demand for the chilly spray. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 17 July 2026 The decision doesn’t automatically remove him from the Cy Young conversation, but his workload, lessened by the six-man rotation, was already the biggest adjustment to his campaign. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
  1. reduced
  2. decreased
  3. diminished
  4. weakened
  5. consumed
  6. subsided
  7. deteriorated
  8. depleted
Adjective
  • Cleveland Clinic lists a long slate of possible benefits ranging from lower blood pressure and improved oxygen levels to reduced snoring, better dry mouth and improved bad breath.
    — Samantha Agate, Charlotte Observer, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Health inspectors found goat cheese packaged in reduced oxygen packaging, which is not permitted.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduced
Verb
  • Telecom stocks — Shares of AT & T and T-Mobile fell more than 5% each, while Verizon shares decreased 1% on a Bloomberg News report that SpaceX is in private talks to lease 80,000 cell towers.
    — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • As technology has advanced, launch costs have decreased, and satellites have become more efficient, smaller and cheaper to build.
    — David Zamora, Space.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of decreased
Verb
  • Such a trend, however diminished, persists particularly among constituencies with close institutional ties to the state.
    — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Finally, Nieves encouraged young salsa singers to pursue their dreams, even as radio and other traditional avenues for exposure have diminished.
    — Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminished
Verb
  • Black voter turnout surges Another factor working in Democrats' favor this election cycle is a surge in Black turnout following a Supreme Court decision that weakened part of the Voting Rights Act.
    — Stephen Fowler, NPR, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Conditions were expected to improve Saturday afternoon as winds weakened, with fair and dry weather forecast for the remainder of the weekend.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakened
Adjective
  • Kennedy’s new pyramid places meat, dairy, fruit, and vegetables at the top (most consumed), and tapers down through fruits and vegetables to whole grains.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 31 July 2026
  • In Stoddart’s estimation, the best way to freeze these semi-consumed cakes is in slices.
    — Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of consumed
Verb
  • But within a couple years, as the pandemic eased and community-police tension subsided, Bolingbrook Police Chief Mike Rompa started using his village purchasing card – known as a p-card – in a different way than others with the same cards.
    — Irika Sargent, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, conditions were improving in the tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, where residents began resuming normal activities as the rain subsided.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of subsided
Verb
  • Hubbard's release follows the return of American Robert Gilman, who was freed from Russian custody in August after his health deteriorated to a life-threatening condition.
    — Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Jones said the potential consequences for policyholders could be severe if an insurer’s financial position deteriorated enough to stop it from meeting its obligations.
    — Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of deteriorated
Adjective
  • Melanie Lawrence, a 68-year-old independent, worries about wells going dry in her area near Willcox, where the groundwater grew so depleted that the land started to crack.
    — Hannah Knowles The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Nearly every setback — from higher food and transportation costs to depleted savings and the strain of staying in school — became harder because Hobby didn’t have a healthy, dependable place for her family to live.
    — Cathie Anderson, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of depleted

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Cite this Entry

“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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