Lessen (Verb)

Meaning ¹

Make smaller; "He decreased his staff".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

• Stricter policies were implemented to lessen the environmental impact of the factory.
• The machine's gears work together to lessen the strenuous forces applied to it.
• Increasing efficiency helped to lessen the production time of the new smartphone model.
• She took steps to lessen the physical workload, knowing her strength was limited after the injury.
• Measures were put in place to lessen the financial strain on families affected by the natural disaster.

Synonyms

• Decrease
• Minify

Hypernyms

• Change
• Modify

Hyponyms

• Bring Down
• Shorten
• Relax
• Shrink
• Abbreviate
• Slake
• Cut
• Turn Down
• Concentrate
• Minimize
• Step Down
• Limit
• Cut Back
• De-escalate
• Trim Down
• Abridge
• Lour
• Pare
• Slack Up
• Mitigate
• Trim Back
• Contract
• Confine To
• Diminish
• Reduce
• Suppress
• Slack
• Trim

Meaning ²

Wear off or die down; "The pain subsided".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

• The storm will lessen in severity by tomorrow morning.
• After several hours, the excitement will lessen and people will return to their daily routines.
• Gradually, the hum of the engine started to lessen as the car slowed down.
• The anesthesia will take some time to wear off, but its effects will lessen with each passing hour.
• Her anger will lessen once she learns the truth behind the situation.

Synonyms

• Subside

Hypernyms

• Weaken

Meaning ³

Decrease in size, extent, or range; "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper".

Classification

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..

Examples

• The storm's intensity will lessen over the next few hours as it moves out to sea.
• Regular exercise can help lessen the risk of heart disease.
• Her workload began to lessen significantly once her team was fully staffed.
• As the athlete gained more experience, her running time began to lessen.
• Taking regular breaks can help lessen stress and improve overall well-being.

Synonyms

• Diminish
• Decrease
• Fall

Hypernyms

• Change Magnitude

Hyponyms

• Ease Off
• Thin Out
• Shorten
• Shrink
• Remit
• Devalue
• Decelerate
• Die Away
• Shrivel Up
• Taper
• Slow Up
• Decline
• Dwindle Away
• Concentrate
• Weaken
• Wither
• Deflate
• Retard
• De-escalate
• Shrivel
• Drop Off
• Slow
• Abate
• Flag
• Depreciate
• Fly
• Dwindle
• Contract
• Go Down
• Undervalue
• Wane
• Break
• Boil Down
• Reduce
• Let Up
• Vanish
• Decrescendo
• Ease Up
• Slack