1
as in reducing
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2
as in depreciation
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in decreasing
to make smaller in amount, volume, or extent
we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in diminishing
to grow less in scope or intensity especially gradually
the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication
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3
as in weakening
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessening
Barbara Kates-Garnick, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025
The good news is that GPT-5 will presumably be somewhat less than gushingly friendly, though the lessening might be variable and of a mixed result.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Queta and Garza have held up well in their respective roles, lessening the Celtics’ need for center help.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Yes, the lip lift is a means of lessening the distance between the nose and the mouth—but to what end?
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Scrambles can be operated at particular times of day, lessening the impact during peak hours.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
That said, Unified Government officials, and the government’s own budget document said that diversifying its revenue streams, and lessening its dependence on property tax revenues could be one way to provide property tax relief for residents.
—Sofi Zeman
january 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Besides lessening the risk of falls, this can help prevent snow from sticking which will make shoveling easier the following day.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
Trump appears interested in shifting back to a Monroe Doctrine-era stance, as well as lessening global importance of countries like Russia, China and Iran, the analyst said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
But it was significantly stripped down at the last minute, lessening its likely impact.
—Adi Robertson, The Verge, 1 Jan. 2026
Noun
While appearing radical at the time, the revamping of scientific boards to include more industry representatives, the undoing of power plant rules and the lessening of enforcement hobbled but did not completely undo the agency.
—Barbara Kates-Garnick, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2025
The good news is that GPT-5 will presumably be somewhat less than gushingly friendly, though the lessening might be variable and of a mixed result.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
When vegan eating becomes more mainstream, fewer animals will be bred for food, lessening the threat of a life-threatening outbreak and nationwide pandemic.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2026
Queta and Garza have held up well in their respective roles, lessening the Celtics’ need for center help.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 28 Jan. 2026
Yes, the lip lift is a means of lessening the distance between the nose and the mouth—but to what end?
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 27 Jan. 2026
Scrambles can be operated at particular times of day, lessening the impact during peak hours.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026
That said, Unified Government officials, and the government’s own budget document said that diversifying its revenue streams, and lessening its dependence on property tax revenues could be one way to provide property tax relief for residents.
—Sofi Zeman
january 22, Kansas City Star, 22 Jan. 2026
Besides lessening the risk of falls, this can help prevent snow from sticking which will make shoveling easier the following day.
—Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 15 Jan. 2026
Trump appears interested in shifting back to a Monroe Doctrine-era stance, as well as lessening global importance of countries like Russia, China and Iran, the analyst said.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 5 Jan. 2026
But it was significantly stripped down at the last minute, lessening its likely impact.
—Adi Robertson, The Verge, 1 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessening
Noun
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The long answer is that Estée Lauder’s Diamond Moisturizer is hydrating (as all moisturizers should be), firming, tightening, wrinkle-reducing, age spot-fading, and texture-smoothing.—
Tamim Alnuweiri,
InStyle,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Moisturizing, soothing, and redness reducing, Erborian’s CC Cream is the ultimate cult-favorite beauty product.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Protests sprang up all over Iran in December and January, largely fueled by an unaffordability crisis driven by inflation and the depreciation of the country’s currency.—
Nollyanne Delacruz,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Cleveland-Cliffs -- The steelmaker dove 19% after posting a wider-than-expected adjusted loss before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $21 million.—
Scott Schnipper,
CNBC,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The biggest shift in the financial model of newspapers that has occurred in the transition from print to digital is a decreasing reliance on advertising and an increasing reliance on direct payments from subscribers.—
Hanna Rosin,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The formulation hits all the targets my tired eyes crave—brightening dark circles, decreasing puffiness, and reducing the look of fine lines.—
Cathy Nelson,
InStyle,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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All there is to do, sometimes, is know in your heart of hearts that a nuanced piece of literature and a provocative and deviant piece of pop culture can exist alongside each other without one diminishing the other.—
Pamela Avila,
USA Today,
15 Feb. 2026
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The airport’s current name is widely recognized and respected, and altering it would only create confusion while diminishing the local identity.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Unbalanced Or Leaning Tree A weakening root system or poor pruning practices can cause a tree to lean to one side.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
15 Feb. 2026
-
My opponent, Tim O’Hare, has led with ideology and performative politics, reducing transparency, weakening public participation, and creating financial instability through deficit-style budgeting and reserve spending.—
Rachel Royster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Using a pastry blender, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.—
Holly Riordan,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Feb. 2026
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Experts have predicted that AI systems capable of autonomously improving themselves, otherwise known as recursive self-improvement, might vastly increase the speed at which AI development takes place, potentially shortening years of complex research into weeks or even days.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Bass and her campaign team have sought to highlight a list of accomplishments, including a steady decrease in homicides, a drop in street homelessness and her efforts to accelerate the construction of affordable housing.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
This was a decrease from a 2023 assessment.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Though snowy conditions are subsiding, the impacts of the storm will linger in the coming days—especially as many regions that saw snowfall are beginning the week with single-digit temperatures.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Sausalito crews set up a 4-inch pump near Gate 5 Road in the city’s northernmost neighborhood, where the grounds have been subsiding.—
Steven Rosenfeld,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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