as in diminished
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in reduced
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 decreased
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in weakened
to lower in character, dignity, or quality
blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lessened
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
After taking a lessened role in 2025, Texas Tech cornerback Maurion Horn will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining, per multiple reports.
—Ty Kaplan, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
An overloaded dryer leads to lessened airflow and, therefore, extended dry time.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Should they be required to open more real beds, and should requirements for licensing be lessened?
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
From 1974-95 there was an average of one running back taken in the top five each year, but the shift to a passing league has lessened the impact of running backs in recent years.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Neighbors say that work has not lessened their concern.
—Brian New, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Oil prices plummeted following Iran's announcement as supply disruption fears lessened.
—Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
If your pain has not lessened after several weeks, stop using the product and consult your health care professional.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But in early fall and late spring, the splendor of this backcountry is hardly lessened.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Kuminga then saw a combination of injuries and uneven performances lead to lessened playing time before eventually falling out of the rotation altogether.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026
Mitigators work in the other direction, articulating a spectrum of factors that might support lessened punishment, such as the defendant having no prior criminal record, or acting under significant duress.
—Literary Hub, 20 Jan. 2026
After taking a lessened role in 2025, Texas Tech cornerback Maurion Horn will enter the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining, per multiple reports.
—Ty Kaplan, Dallas Morning News, 2 Jan. 2026
An overloaded dryer leads to lessened airflow and, therefore, extended dry time.
—Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Dec. 2025
Verb
So while the matchups were a factor in the game, their impact was lessened by all the penalties.
—Arpon Basu, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Should they be required to open more real beds, and should requirements for licensing be lessened?
—Elisabeth Rosenthal, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
In Part 2 the factional fighting at court is increased rather than lessened by the arrival of Margaret of Anjou, the new queen, who—together with her lover, the duke of Suffolk—plots against Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, and his ambitious duchess, Eleanor.
—Gitanjali Roy, Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
From 1974-95 there was an average of one running back taken in the top five each year, but the shift to a passing league has lessened the impact of running backs in recent years.
—ABC News, 21 Apr. 2026
Neighbors say that work has not lessened their concern.
—Brian New, CBS News, 20 Apr. 2026
Oil prices plummeted following Iran's announcement as supply disruption fears lessened.
—Sean Conlon,lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
If your pain has not lessened after several weeks, stop using the product and consult your health care professional.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But in early fall and late spring, the splendor of this backcountry is hardly lessened.
—Brad Japhe, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lessened
Verb
-
But since the war began, traffic has been reduced to a trickle, with just 154 vessels recorded crossing in the entire month of March, according to Kpler data.—
Henrik Pettersson,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
-
While there is no question that KU Med is at fault for failing to disinfect the heater-cooler devices, Johnson said, LivaNova should have ensured that the hospital was strictly following its instructions for use, which would have reduced the risk of bacteria spreading.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Palestinian voter turnout has gradually decreased over the past elections.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
-
The issue has broad effects, affecting not just the victim but families, co-workers and community while harming mental and physical health, causing decreased productivity and decreasing one’s quality of life.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
This has been a story of unforeseen incidents, such as the unnoticed approach of the storm and the capsizing in front of high cliffs that prevented us from swimming ashore before the cold water had weakened us.—
Jim Hoagland,
Outdoor Life,
30 Apr. 2026
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For Caracas, the engagement offers a chance to attract foreign capital and revive industries weakened by years of mismanagement and sanctions.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In Stoddart’s estimation, the best way to freeze these semi-consumed cakes is in slices.—
Taylor Tobin,
Southern Living,
2 Dec. 2025
Verb
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However, Apple hasn’t followed its megacap peers in sinking tens of billions of dollars into building out AI infrastructure, which has diminished the stock’s correlation to the rest of the tech industry.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Still, the music flourished on terrestrial radio and music-video television, two venues for mass musical experiences whose power has diminished drastically in the streaming era.—
Jack Hamilton,
The Atlantic,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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His mental health has severely deteriorated, his financial situation is terrible, and his drug dependency is at its worst.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
-
An old male Japanese macaque maintained alpha status as his ability to walk deteriorated, but only through an alliance with the alpha female.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Wildfires in Florida are feeding off of vegetation made tinder-dry by a double-whammy of depleted rainfall from La Niña this past winter and a lack of rainfall from tropical storms last fall.—
CNN.com Wire Service,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Mauigoa, Fano or Ioane would all be upgrades on a depleted roster.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
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After the chaos subsided and guests were allowed back into the festival, Wilson’s performance was the set everyone needed to put the night back into place.—
Brian Blueskye,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2026
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And while the conflict in the Middle East temporarily warded off deflation, the gains have since subsided as Chinese industry continues to run below capacity, the chief economist for Asia Pacific at French bank Natixis argued.—
Jeronimo Gonzalez,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessened. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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