Examples of lesser in a Sentence
Adjective
The winner will receive $100; lesser amounts will be given to three runners-up.
A lesser man than he might have simply given up.
She agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Lindsey Witmer Collins,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
—
Staff Writer
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2023
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Their exhilarating fusion of bebop virtuosity and intensely syncopated Cuban rhythms had a broad impact that built on the important, but lesser known, work of band leader Mario Bauzá.
—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lesser
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Adjective
Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.
—
Lindsey Witmer Collins,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
—
Staff Writer
follow,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2023
Adverb
In the fruity gourmand space, fragrance houses are now exploring unusual or lesser-known fruits, not only for their olfactory appeal but also for their storytelling potential.
—
Laia Farran Graves,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Their exhilarating fusion of bebop virtuosity and intensely syncopated Cuban rhythms had a broad impact that built on the important, but lesser known, work of band leader Mario Bauzá.
—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lesser
Cite this Entry
“Lesser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesser. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lesser
1 of 2 adjective
less·er
ˈles-ər 
: of smaller size or importance
lesser
2 of 2 adverbLegal Definition
lesser
adjective
less·er
ˈle-sər
: of less size, quality, degree, or significance
specifically
: of lower criminal liability
duress has been held a good defense to such lesser crimes as robbery, burglary and malicious mischief —W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
