lessen

Meaning

Verb

1. (transitive) To make less; to diminish; to reduce.
2. (intransitive) To become less.

Conj

unless.

Synonyms

decrease

diminish

reduce

abate

lower

shrink

ease

subside

dwindle

alleviate

shorten

curtail

abridge

decline

mitigate

soften

weaken

wane

drop

assuage

contract

moderate

lighten

relieve

slacken

bring down

scale down

allay

minify

fall

cut down

cut

downsize

abbreviate

make smaller

minimize

go down

become less

sink

temper

retrench

understate

palliate

recede

bate

depreciate

relax

deplete

fall off

extenuate

Translations

diminuire

disminuir

diminuer

verminderen

menguar

ridurre

diminuir

inkorten

amoindrir

reducir

abaisser

abnehmen

μειώνω

vermindern

réduire

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈlɛsən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: lessenen

In summary

From Middle English lessenen, lasnen, equivalent to less + -en (verbal suffix).