lessen
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
-
to make less; reduce.
-
Archaic. to represent as less; depreciate; disparage.
verb
-
to make or become less
-
(tr) to make little of
Other Word Forms
- unlessened adjective
Etymology
Origin of lessen
First recorded in 1300–50; late Middle English lessenen, lasnen; equivalent to less + -en 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Incumbents that increasingly use AI as part of their core processes, like Microsoft and Alphabet, will lose monopoly power as it lessens the degree to which they are differentiated.
From Barron's
Incumbents that increasingly use AI as part of their core processes, like Microsoft and Alphabet, will lose monopoly power as it lessens the degree to which they are differentiated.
From Barron's
Two months after the anniversary of the devastating Southern California firestorms, several legislators at the state Capitol unveiled a package of bills aimed at preventing wildfires and lessening their harms.
From Los Angeles Times
Huge improvements in energy efficiency have also lessened the role of oil in the economy.
From MarketWatch
Using the first sale rule is one of several steps companies can take to lessen the tariff hit.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
