lessens

verb

present tense third-person singular of lessen
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in decreases
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in degrades
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 lessens The cartilage between bones often thins more rapidly after age 60, too, leaving the femur and tibia with less cushioning, so the separation between the bones lessens or disappears. — Aaron Steckelberg, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 It's got other features such as Copilot integration to answer questions on the fly, as well as HP Eye Ease, which lessens blue light exposure to make your eyes more comfortable. — George Yang, PC Magazine, 2 Oct. 2026 Enter Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE), a minimally-invasive procedure that lessens blood flow to inflamed spots in the knee to reduce chronic pain and swelling. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 24 Sep. 2026 Most people assume that as technology improves, trust will follow and oversight gradually lessens. — Francesco Iorio, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026 The warmer waters fuel tropical cyclone development in the eastern Pacific and a weaker wind shear lessens the chance of a storm being broken apart. — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026 Over time, this shift lessens the need for more adjunct faculty at additional expense. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026 An elevated risk of rip currents can be expected through noon, before the threat of rip currents lessens this afternoon. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Aug. 2026 Coconut oil has approximately 65% MCTs, while MCT oil supplements have 100%, which lessens the health benefits of consuming only MCTs. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessens
  1. reduces
  2. decreases
  3. degrades
  4. diminishes
  5. weakens
  6. subsides
  7. deteriorates
  8. eases
Verb
  • The anti-immigrant movement reduces kids to constitutional hypotheticals and demographic statistics.
    — Hannah Harshe, Washington Post, 26 Oct. 2026
  • That gives Jaylen Warren a favorable matchup and reduces the need for Aaron Rodgers to force throws downfield.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of reduces
Verb
  • Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns.
    — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The peak height of the histogram decreases as the number of tosses, N, gets larger.
    — Dana Mackenzie, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of decreases
Verb
  • At rates exceeding the cap, the internet degrades and is no longer usable.
    — Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
  • My observations have been that when human capital is treated as a purely algorithmic input, workplace culture degrades and strategic talent development stops.
    — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of degrades
Verb
  • The local control is missing and the local responsibility diminishes significantly.
    — John E. McDonough, STAT, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Pyrad works by instantaneously thickening when exposed to fire, forming a char that diminishes heat exposure, extinguishes flames, and decreases the risk of third-degree burns.
    — Derek Rose, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of diminishes
Verb
  • Limited inventory continues to support prices, even as buyer demand weakens.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • If the ridge weakens sufficiently, this could eventually open the door to returning rain chances.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of weakens
Verb
  • Chadchart said despite the heavy rain, flooding should recede once the rain subsides, as city officials are working to drain floodwaters as quickly as possible.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Ideally, those refugees would remain in human care for years or even decades until the mussel invasion subsides.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of subsides
Verb
  • As her brother Aldwin’s mental health deteriorates, Lil considers risking her future to travel to him.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Keep the effort easy enough that your movement quality improves rather than deteriorates.
    — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of deteriorates
Verb
  • At the same time, reducing the amount of energy entering the system eases the load on mitochondria and reduces oxidative stress.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Opponents insist that the proposition eases the way for construction of massive data centers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of eases

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Cite this Entry

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

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