lessen

[les-uh n]

See more synonyms for lessen on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to become less.

verb (used with object)

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

Origin of lessen

1300–50; late Middle English lessenen, lasnen (see less, -en¹); replacing Middle English lessen

Related formsun·less·ened, adjective

Can be confusedlessen lesson

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for lessened

Contemporary Examples

While fighting has lessened, Ukrainian soldiers continue to die in the country's southeast.
Corruption Eats Away at Ukraine Military
Charles McPhedran
October 21, 2014
By Thursday night the shelling and Grad strikes had lessened.
Shakeup In the Ukraine Rebel High Command
Jamie Dettmer
August 15, 2014
None of it has lessened my belief in Zionism or the imperative of Israel as a home and sanctuary for Jews.
Don’t Accuse Israel of Apartheid
Benjamin Pogrund
July 17, 2014
That also lessened their worries, even though she had never left the country before.
Sarai Sierra, American Slain in Istanbul, Was an Artist in the Making
Michael Daly
February 5, 2013
Their qualms have not necessarily been lessened by at times impolitic and immature remarks.
Chicago Teachers Union Blows Its Chance for a Deal
James Warren
September 18, 2012

Historical Examples

Its excitement was not lessened when he recognized Hamish Channing.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
And yet, since Peppina had been on the island the peace of the life there had been lessened.
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
His reluctance, his sense of fear, were lessened, nearly died away.
A Spirit in Prison
Robert Hichens
The heat did not seem to have lessened much with the going down of the sun.
The Forbidden Trail
Honor Willsie
"I think Mr. Parasyte's conduct has lessened it," said Vallington.
Breaking Away
Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for lessened

lessen

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

Word Origin and History for lessened

lessen

v.

"to become less," c.1300, from less + -en (1). Related: Lessened; lessening.

lessen

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}lessen

Examples 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.

And yet, since Peppina had been on the island the peace of the life there had been lessened.

His reluctance, his sense of fear, were lessened, nearly died away.

The heat did not seem to have lessened much with the going down of the sun.

"I think Mr. Parasyte's conduct has lessened it," said Vallington.

lessen

Word Origin and History for lessened

lessen

v.

Origin of lessen