lessen Hear it!

lessen Definition

lessen (les′ən)

transitive verb

  1. to make less; decrease
  2. Archaic to belittle; minimize; disparage

intransitive verb

to become less

lessen Synonyms

lessen

v.

  1. To grow less

    decrease, diminish, dwindle, decline; see decrease 1.

  2. To make less

    decrease, reduce, diminish, slack up; see decrease 2. See syn. study at decrease.

lessen Usage Examples

Object

  • likelihood: Regular exercise or meditation will help lessen the likelihood of an attack.
  • severity: In the short run it should lessen the severity of cut backs in investment.
  • burden: A change in the methods of booking spaces has helped to lessen the burden on travel planning.
  • impact: The Basic Law might help lessen the impact of these problems.
  • dependence: A range of interests and needs among the user base widens the market and lessens dependence on a single group.
  • chance: The posts should have flat tops to lessen the chance of injury to horse or rider.

Subject

  • fact: This problem was lessened by the fact that the ceiling was covered with tufts of fiber that hung down from its surface.

Modifying Another Word

  • considerably: CGT is a tax whose sting can be lessened considerably by sensible planning.
  • thereby: Cooking oils that due to begin emotions thereby lessening star caron butler.
  • substantially: The cumulative effects of episodic deep drainage events may be substantially lessened by inclusion of a perennial pasture phase.
  • gradually: This means that the body's basic energy needs gradually lessen.
  • somewhat: The conquest of Canada, however, somewhat lessened the danger of its position.
  • greatly: This course will greatly lessen the chances of disagreement between the two.

Used with why or when

  • when: Does not the pain of a child's burnt hand lessen when his mother kisses it better.

Preposition: in

  • quality: Not to say there is a lessening in quality by any means, these are very much what you would expect from Bradbury.

Preposition: of

  • competition: The OFT will refer to the CC any merger which may be expected to result in a ' substantial lessening of competition ' .
  • tension: During the day, there has been a reported lessening of tension.

Preposition: with

  • time: You may experience headaches and feel quite tired for a while afterward but these should lessen with time.
  • age: Also bear in mind that these rivalries lessen with age.

Preposition: by

  • fact: This problem was lessened by the fact that the ceiling was covered with tufts of fiber that hung down from its surface.