lessen
[ les-uh n ]
/ ˈlɛs ən /
verb (used without object)
to become less.
verb (used with object)
to make less; reduce.
Archaic. to represent as less; depreciate; disparage.
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RELATED WORDS
mitigate, dilute, erode, slacken, minimize, ease, shrink, impair, dwindle, decrease, abate, narrow, diminish, curtail, lighten, weaken, decline, cut, clip, taper
Nearby words
- lespedeza,
- lesquerella,
- less,
- less than,
- lessee,
- lesseps,
- lesser,
- lesser antilles,
- lesser ape,
- lesser bear
Origin of lessen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for lessened
lessen
/ (ˈlɛsən) /
verb
to make or become less
(tr) to make little of
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
lessen
"to become less," c.1300, from less + -en (1). Related: Lessened; lessening.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper