Library / English Dictionary

LESSEN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Decrease in size, extent, or range

Example:

his voice fell to a whisper

Synonyms:

decrease; diminish; fall; lessen

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "lessen" is one way to...):

change magnitude (change in size or magnitude)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "lessen"):

decrescendo (grow quieter)

decelerate; retard; slow; slow down; slow up (lose velocity; move more slowly)

wane (become smaller)

wane (decrease in phase)

decline; go down; wane (grow smaller)

thin out (become sparser)

shorten (become short or shorter)

depreciate; devaluate; devalue; undervalue (lose in value)

de-escalate (diminish in size, scope, or intensity)

remit (diminish or abate)

dwindle; dwindle away; dwindle down (become smaller or lose substance)

deflate (become deflated or flaccid, as by losing air)

break (diminish or discontinue abruptly)

shrink; shrivel (decrease in size, range, or extent)

taper (diminish gradually)

drop off (fall or diminish)

fly; vanish; vaporize (decrease rapidly and disappear)

break (fall sharply)

ease off; ease up; flag; slacken off (become less intense)

weaken (become weaker)

boil down; concentrate; decoct; reduce (be cooked until very little liquid is left)

contract; shrink (become smaller or draw together)

shrink; shrivel; shrivel up; wither (wither, as with a loss of moisture)

abate; die away; let up; slack; slack off (become less in amount or intensity)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Wear off or die down

Example:

The pain subsided

Synonyms:

lessen; subside

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "lessen" is one way to...):

weaken (become weaker)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sense 3

Meaning:

Make smaller

Example:

He decreased his staff

Synonyms:

decrease; lessen; minify

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Hypernyms (to "lessen" is one way to...):

alter; change; modify (cause to change; make different; cause a transformation)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "lessen"):

belittle; diminish (lessen the authority, dignity, or reputation of)

relax; slack; slack up; slacken (make less active or fast)

cut (have a reducing effect)

bring down; cut; cut back; cut down; reduce; trim; trim back; trim down (cut down on; make a reduction in)

minimise; minimize (make small or insignificant)

de-escalate; step down; weaken (reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of)

lour; lower; turn down (make lower or quieter)

abate; slack; slake (make less active or intense)

abbreviate; abridge; contract; cut; foreshorten; reduce; shorten (reduce in scope while retaining essential elements)

reduce; shrink (reduce in size; reduce physically)

boil down; concentrate; reduce (cook until very little liquid is left)

circumscribe; confine to; limit (restrict or confine within limits)

pare; pare down (decrease gradually or bit by bit)

mitigate (make less severe or harsh)

suppress (lessen to the point of stopping)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Credits

 Context examples: 

Also used to lessen adverse effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments.

(Cancer Immunotherapy, NCI Thesaurus)

A drawing of fluids from one part of the body to another, to relieve symptoms, reduce the inflammation or to otherwise lessen a morbid process.

(Derivation, NCI Thesaurus)

It helps to increase muscle strength, blood circulation, and range of motion and to lessen muscle spasms.

(NES, NCI Dictionary)

Local anesthetics may be injected or put on the skin to lessen pain during medical, surgical, or dental procedures.

(Local anesthesia, NCI Dictionary)

A lessening of pain following an intervention.

(Pain Relief, NCI Thesaurus)

Palonosetron hydrochloride blocks the action of the chemical serotonin in the brain, which may help lessen nausea and vomiting.

(Palonosetron hydrochloride, NCI Dictionary)

The moon had disappeared from the night, and again, with a lessened form, showed itself, while I still remained in the forest.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

It is being studied for its ability to lessen certain side effects of cancer treatment.

(Hypericum perforatum, NCI Dictionary)

Most women who have signs of preeclampsia are closely monitored to lessen or avoid complications.

(High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy, NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

The drug coating is intended to lessen the likelihood of restenosis.

(Drug Eluting Stent, NCI Thesaurus)