lessen
[les-uh n]
- to become less.
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- to make less; reduce.
- Archaic. to represent as less; depreciate; disparage.
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Origin of lessen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
mitigate, dilute, erode, slacken, minimize, ease, shrink, impair, dwindle, decrease, abate, narrow, diminish, curtail, lighten, weaken, decline, cut, clip, taperExamples from the Web for lessened
Contemporary Examples
While fighting has lessened, Ukrainian soldiers continue to die in the country's southeast.
By Thursday night the shelling and Grad strikes had lessened.
None of it has lessened my belief in Zionism or the imperative of Israel as a home and sanctuary for Jews.
That also lessened their worries, even though she had never left the country before.
Their qualms have not necessarily been lessened by at times impolitic and immature remarks.
Historical Examples
Its excitement was not lessened when he recognized Hamish Channing.
The ChanningsMrs. Henry Wood
And yet, since Peppina had been on the island the peace of the life there had been lessened.
A Spirit in PrisonRobert Hichens
His reluctance, his sense of fear, were lessened, nearly died away.
A Spirit in PrisonRobert Hichens
The heat did not seem to have lessened much with the going down of the sun.
The Forbidden TrailHonor Willsie
"I think Mr. Parasyte's conduct has lessened it," said Vallington.
Breaking AwayOliver Optic
lessen
- to make or become less
- (tr) to make little of
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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
Word Origin and History for lessened
lessen
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper