LESSEN Synonyms: 193 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'lessen' differ from other similar words?

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

Q: When can 'abate' be used instead of 'lessen'?

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

Q: When is 'decrease' a more appropriate choice than 'lessen'?

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

Q: In what contexts can 'diminish' take the place of 'lessen'?

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

Q: Where would 'dwindle' be a reasonable alternative to 'lessen'?

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

Q: When might 'reduce' be a better fit than 'lessen'?

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

lessen

verb

ˈle-sᵊn

Definition of lessen

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to decrease

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to degrade

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb lessen differ from other similar words?

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

When can abate be used instead of lessen?

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

When is decrease a more appropriate choice than lessen?

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

In what contexts can diminish take the place of lessen?

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

Where would dwindle be a reasonable alternative to lessen?

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

When might reduce be a better fit than lessen?

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

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 lessen The drink might ease digestion, lower stress, improve breathing, lessen pain, and lower inflammation. — Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 7 Aug. 2026 But to help lessen the immediate impact of the Save A Lot closures, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a partnership between United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Lyft to provide free round-trip rides to grocery stores in the city. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 Still, the lack of strong depth in the Phillies’ system may have lessened their ability to make deals such as those listed above. — Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 Your shoulders, ears and hips should be aligned, which lessens the pressure on your lumbar vertebrae. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for lessen

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessen

Verb

Studies show that drinking more fluid—preferably water—can significantly reduce the risk of stone formation and recurrence.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
The White Worm, who styled herself as a peacetime consigliere, is reduced to obsolescence by the promise of all-out war.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of reduce

Verb

Some of the commitments of the CROP plan is to decrease communitywide greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2030, and achieve communitywide net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

— Cam'ron Hardy, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026
The Palm Beach County school district, like its Broward and Miami-Dade counterparts, is facing the issue of decreasing enrollment.

— Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of decrease

Verb

Instead, the fresh requirements appeared to diminish prospects for a quick deal, despite optimism last week an agreement was near.

— Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026
But they’ve never been litigated — and the developments are already stoking fears of diminishing Fed independence as the central bank weighs whether to raise interest rates at its next meeting.

— Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of diminish

Verb

However, consuming large amounts—such as those used in studies where up to 1/2 cup was consumed daily—can start to weaken and damage tooth enamel.

— MD Published, Verywell Health, 10 Aug. 2026
Apple’s market dominance is built around September; moving away from tradition would upset the ecosystem supporting the launch and risk weakening the iPhone’s dominant position.

— Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of weaken

Verb

That said, living in the South means there’s still a ways to go before the heat subsides, and until then, breathable summer staples will continue to define my outfits.

— Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2026
While the rain is expected to mostly subside by Saturday, temperatures will hover near the 90s through Sunday and into next week.

— Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of subside

Verb

An agreement between Tehran and Washington is yet to materialize, with prospects for a deal appearing to deteriorate over the weekend.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026
In the provincial capital Pontianak, schools suspended in-person classes after air quality deteriorated to unhealthy levels and health officials reported a rise in respiratory illnesses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of deteriorate

Verb

Again, no free cash flow means funds need to be raised externally; equity offerings dilute shareholders, while debt offerings increase leverage and interest expense.

— Zev Fima, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026
These factors raise the odds that the current push will be slowed, diluted, or forced into hybrid language.

— Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of dilute

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lessees

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“Lessen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessen. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lessen

verb

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Synonyms of lessen

verb

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Articles Related to lessen

'Fewer' and 'Less'

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