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
Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
By keeping more skin connected to the deeper tissues—and yielding smaller skin flaps in the face and neck—the technique aims to minimize space for fluid to settle, lessening not only post-op complications, but also bruising, swelling, and trauma to the skin.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The vision is expected to begin with further strengthening downtown Hartford and lessening its dependency on office workers for vibrancy.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
This will prioritize safety and reliability, while lessening emissions for local communities.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Song update The Padres are encouraged that Sung-Mun Song’s oblique discomfort appears to be lessening each day.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Two months after the anniversary of the devastating Southern California firestorms, several legislators at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and lessening their harms.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Cities across the nation are facing the same workplace trends including work-from-home flexibility and lessening square footage demands that are helping drive downtown office vacancies in Louisville.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
Meta, in a global race to dominate AI, wants to quickly build scale to seize the smart glasses market, lessening its reliance on hardware from tech rivals like Apple, the people said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 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
Lots will be made about lessening reliance on Nvidia .
—Jim Cramer, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
By keeping more skin connected to the deeper tissues—and yielding smaller skin flaps in the face and neck—the technique aims to minimize space for fluid to settle, lessening not only post-op complications, but also bruising, swelling, and trauma to the skin.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 16 Mar. 2026
The vision is expected to begin with further strengthening downtown Hartford and lessening its dependency on office workers for vibrancy.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 13 Mar. 2026
This will prioritize safety and reliability, while lessening emissions for local communities.
—Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
Song update The Padres are encouraged that Sung-Mun Song’s oblique discomfort appears to be lessening each day.
—Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Two months after the anniversary of the devastating Southern California firestorms, several legislators at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and lessening their harms.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026
Cities across the nation are facing the same workplace trends including work-from-home flexibility and lessening square footage demands that are helping drive downtown office vacancies in Louisville.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 27 Feb. 2026
Meta, in a global race to dominate AI, wants to quickly build scale to seize the smart glasses market, lessening its reliance on hardware from tech rivals like Apple, the people said.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 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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Including hardware depreciation, labor, and overhead, the effective cost is about 200–250 yuan per hour in China, Gao said.—
Ni Tao,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Leasing a new car is a great way to experience some of the best driving years of a vehicle without the depreciation and ownership issues that come with time.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These changes were to be achieved by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables, decreasing the consumption of meat and eggs, and substituting nonfat milk for whole milk.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, federal funding is decreasing.—
Kristina Rex,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Fans’ attachment is largely to the kids, who aren’t kids anymore, and ’80s nostalgia, which is a diminishing resource.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The densest areas fragment first, diminishing further in size.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Natural Ways to Get Rid of Onion Grass These invasive weeds are fast-growing and rob your grass of water, nutrients, and sunlight, weakening your garden over time, says Brian Feldman, senior director of technical operations at TruGreen.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
26 Apr. 2026
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Muscle loss and bone weakening Numerous studies have documented that rapid weight loss from Ozempic and other medications can cause significant muscle loss, especially in people who don’t increase their protein intake.—
Cindy Krischer Goodman,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Always dry thoroughly, heat on the stovetop until completely dry, and apply a thin layer of oil or shortening.—
Katie Rosenhouse,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2026
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This movement engages the quad concentrically, which means the muscles contract while shortening, Mann said.—
Julia Ries Wexler,
Health,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to Gary’s 2025 Public Safety Report, the city’s homicide rate is its lowest since 1970, and fatal shootings decreased from 133 incidents in 2024 to 101 in 2025, which is a 24% decrease.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The decrease in students also means a decrease in state funding for next school year.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But there were no signs that the conflict was subsiding.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
11 Mar. 2026
-
But, by the end of May, the issue was not subsiding.—
Evan Grant,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lessening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lessening. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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