lessen
Americanverb (used without object)
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lessens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
lessened,
past participle, past
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lessening
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
lessens,
present (3rd person singular)
-
lessened,
past participle, past
-
lessening
present participle
-
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
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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lessensimple
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lessenssimple
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have lessenedperfect
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has lessenedperfect
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am lesseningprogressive
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are lesseningprogressive
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is lesseningprogressive
-
have been lesseningperfect progressive
-
has been lesseningperfect progressive
Past
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lessenedsimple
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had lessenedperfect
-
was lesseningprogressive
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were lesseningprogressive
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had been lesseningperfect progressive
Future
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
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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.
See Examples For:
Auto lovers have pushed for years to lessen emissions regulations for collector cars, arguing that these vintage vehicles are only driven short distances to parades and meet-ups where they deserve to be seen and cherished.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
A slower infrastructure race could reduce pressure on their cash flows and lessen the need to keep adding capacity as quickly.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026
She has been advised to take a hormonal contraceptive to help slow monthly tissue growth and lessen the pain.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
Kessler answered that his opponents had to demonstrate that there was a probability the deal would lessen competition.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 1, 2026
“You realize that trying to keep your distance from me will not lessen my affection for you,” he said.
From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
This actuarial approach lessens the chance you’ll run out of money, and it lets good market returns flow through to higher spending.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
As Microsoft’s control over OpenAI lessens, OpenAI has been strengthening its relationship with Amazon.
From MarketWatch ● Apr. 13, 2026
It creates multiple pathways for energy to move through the system, reduces wasted power, and lessens the strain on the resonator.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 10, 2026
But the problem is that there are good safety reasons for allowing the 350kw super-clip, as it lessens the need for another energy-harvesting strategy known as lift and coast.
From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2026
The twang of the guitar grows louder, and the echo lessens.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
It lessened his allegiance to the free-market economic system.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
From a product standpoint, PayPal has pushed passkey verification, which it said has lessened friction customers experience at checkout.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
The tech giants, which introduced consumer-friendly streaming options, have lessened the influence of traditional companies such as Paramount and Warner Bros.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026
But it could be lessened, Percy said, by local authorities embracing technological advances.
From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026
The suckers, which were fastened to me and pained greatly, lessened their hold.
From "Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell
Meanwhile wages and benefits have typically been outpacing inflation this year, lessening the squeeze for many - so far.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
“While global inventories have been drawing down, the market still seems focused on lessening demand and gradual supply being added.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Yes, it’s too high, he says, but he suggests that his housing plan will deploy a trickle-down approach that starts with lessening landlords’ risks and costs and thus encourages them to build more.
From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026
But that’s also another aspect the proposed rule is addressing, he said: lessening the scope for litigation so that plans of all sizes might be more likely to incorporate these other investment choices.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 1, 2026
The five men piled into the Chevy and drove off into the lessening light.
From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison
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.
