lessen
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to make less; reduce.
-
Archaic. to represent as less; depreciate; disparage.
verb
-
to make or become less
-
(tr) to make little of
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lessen
First recorded in 1300–50; late Middle English lessenen, lasnen; equivalent to less + -en 1
Explanation
To lessen is to make smaller, to reduce, or to weaken. A high school football coach might try to lessen head injuries by improving the quality of the team's helmets. If your cold symptoms lessen, it means you're sneezing and coughing much less and can probably go to school. If the value of your Pez collection lessens, it means those plastic candy dispensers can't be sold for quite as much money on eBay. And your friend might recommend that you take a yoga class or learn to meditate, especially if she thinks you should lessen your stress and anxiety.
Vocabulary lists containing lessen
Going Down: Synonyms for "Fall"
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Road Trip Magical Mystery List A
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
You cannot take the pain out of writing, but you can lessen some of the grunt work and redirect your energy, and despair, elsewhere.
From Slate • May 24, 2026
Japan also benefits from the push to find other sources of critical minerals and lessen reliance on China.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
The Advancing Water Reuse Act seeks to lessen the local impacts of water-guzzling operations like data centers amid widespread U.S. drought conditions.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
To lessen your risk of infection, keep wild rodents out of your home, workplace, shed, cabin, car or other enclosed spaces.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
It was his job to lessen that imbalance, to help make the world if not more fair, then more just.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
