lessen

verb less·en \ˈle-s^ən\

: to become less or to cause (something) to become less

less·enedless·en·ing \ˈles-niŋ, ˈle-s^ən-iŋ\

Full Definition of LESSEN

intransitive verb

: to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease

transitive verb

: to reduce in size, extent, or degree

a archaic : to represent as of little value

b : to lower in status or dignity : degrade

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First Known Use of LESSEN

13th century

Related to LESSEN

Synonyms: abate, de-escalate, dent, deplete, diminish, downscale, downsize, drop, dwindle, ease, knock down, decrease, lower, reduce

Antonyms: aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, enlarge, escalate, expand, increase, raise

Synonym Discussion of LESSEN

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity <slowly decreased the amount of pressure>. lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number <has been unable to lessen her debt>. diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total <his visual acuity has diminished>. reduce implies a bringing down or lowering <you must reduce your caloric intake>. abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount <the storm abated>. dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller <their provisions dwindled slowly>.