lessen

[ les-uhn ]

verb (used without object)

1. to become less.

verb (used with object)

1. to make less; reduce.
2. Archaic. to represent as less; depreciate; disparage.

lessen

/ ˈlɛsən /

verb

1. to make or become less
2. tr to make little of

Other Words From

• un·lessened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lessen¹

First recorded in 1300–50; late Middle English lessenen, lasnen; equivalent to less + -en ¹

Example Sentences

The company had also said it would plant grasses that better hold in place the sandy riverbank and add a layer of rocks to lessen erosion.

From ProPublica

Doing small things like this can help to lessen some of the friction that comes along with asking others to engage with your posts.

From Search Engine Watch

Playing fantasy sports helped lessen the sting of not having his own startup.

From Freakonomics

Minnesota, by contrast, lets in certain family members, clad in personal protective gear, for up to three hours a day to monitor care and lessen loneliness.

From Voice of San Diego

Among 86 infected women, the drug helped lessen the amount of extra oxygen needed in 96 percent of pregnant women and 89 percent of women who had newly given birth.

From Science News

Cooperating with Assad is also the only feasible way, at present, to lessen the humanitarian nightmare in Syria.

From The Daily Beast

We ask that you lessen her pain and therefore lessen the pain of all humanity.

From The Daily Beast

Each 6000kg sculpture is lowered to the seabed where it is drilled into the substrate to lessen the effects of turbulent weather.

From The Daily Beast

But getting cyclists to don a hard-shelled helmet, which can lessen the risks of serious injury, has been a global challenge.

From The Daily Beast

The company hopes the change will lessen the weight load for not only the pilots, but the planes.

From The Daily Beast

Alone the supreme Self in him looked calmly on, seeming to lessen the part that trembled and knew fear.

From Project Gutenberg

The recognition did not lessen the reality, the poignancy of the revelation by any suggestion or promise of instability.

From Project Gutenberg

The wind now began to lessen; and, for fear of being becalmed, I was anxious to get an offing.

From Project Gutenberg

If fortune frowns he may lessen his crop but never his attachment for the plant.

From Project Gutenberg

The crop supplied more tobacco than was needed, but no one man would cease to plant it, or lessen his crop for the general good.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abate
• curtail
• decrease
• dilute
• diminish
• dwindle
• ease
• erode
• impair
• lighten
• minimize
• mitigate
• narrow
• shrink
• slacken
• taper off
• weaken