English dictionary

lessens Meaning & Definition

ˈle-sᵊn

What Does Lessens Mean?

Lessens is used as a verb meaning to shrink in size, number, or degree. It is also used to mean to reduce in size, extent, or degree.

Lessens at a Glance

Part of speech	verb
Pronunciation	/ˈle-sᵊn/
Syllables	2
Synonyms	abates, decreases and de-escalates
Antonyms	aggrandizes, amplifies and augments

Lessens Definition (Verb)

to shrink in size, number, or degree : decrease
The pain will lessen over time.
to reduce in size, extent, or degree
lessen tensions between nations
to represent as of little value
to lower in status or dignity : degrade

Synonyms of Lessens

abates decreases de-escalates dents depletes diminishes downscales downsizes drops dwindles eases knocks down lowers reduces declines dies (away or down or out)drains (away)drops (off)ebbs falls falls awaylets upmoderates palls phases down ratchets (down)recedes relents remits shrinks subsides tapers tapers off wanes abases bastardizes cankers cheapens corrupts debases debauches degrades demeans demoralizes depraves deteriorates perverts poisons profanes prostitutes subverts vitiates warps abate de-escalate decrease dent deplete diminish downscale downsize drop dwindle ease knock down lower reduce decline die (away or down or out)drain (away)drop (off)ebb fall fall away let up moderate pall phase downratchet (down)recede relent remit shrink subside tapertaper offwane abase bastardize canker cheapen corrupt debase debauch degrade demean demoralize deprave deteriorate pervert poison profane prostitute subvert vitiate warp

Lessens synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Lessens

aggrandizes amplifies augments boosts enlarges escalates expands increases raises blows up dilates distends inflates swells elongates extends lengthens prolongs protracts adds (to)complements supplements enhances heightens intensifies redoubles accumulates balloons builds burgeons grows mounts mushroomspicks uprises snowballs soars waxes appears emerges shows up elevates ennobles uplifts dignifies exalts honors ameliorates amends betters enriches improves meliorates perfects clarifies cleans cleanses purifies refines restores respects aggrandize amplify augment boost enlarge escalate expand increase raise blow up dilate distend inflate swell elongate extend lengthen prolong protractadd (to)complement supplement enhance heighten intensify redouble accumulate balloon build burgeon grow mount mushroom pick up rise snowball soar wax appear emerge show up elevate ennoble uplift dignify exalt honor ameliorate amend better enrich improve meliorate perfect clarify clean cleanse purify refine restore respect

Lessens in a Sentence

The pain will lessen over time.

lessen tensions between nations

we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect

the pain should begin to lessen within minutes of taking the medication

blatant hypocrisy that lessened him in the eyes of the voters

Word Forms & Grammar

less·ened

less·en·ing

lessen

lessened

lessening

lessens

Words That Rhyme With Lessens

lessons delicatessens caissonsconfess sinsdes sonsexcess insles sonspress ins

First Known Use

14th centuryi

How Do You Say Lessens?

The standard pronunciation of lessens is /ˈle-sᵊn/, spoken in 2 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (le).

Quick Answers About Lessens

What part of speech is lessens?

Lessens is a verb.

What is another word for lessens?

Words with a similar meaning to lessens include abates, decreases and de-escalates. See the full list of lessens synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of lessens?

The opposite of lessens can be expressed with words like aggrandizes, amplifies, augments and boosts.