Meaning
- Lessen (verb) means to make something smaller, weaker, or less severe.
- It refers to reducing the degree, amount, or impact of something.
Grammar and Usage
-
Part of speech: Verb
-
Type: Transitive/Intransitive
- Transitive: to lessen something → to reduce it
- Intransitive: The pain lessened → became weaker on its own
Typical sentence structures:
- lessen + noun (lessen the risk, lessen the pain, lessen the impact)
- something lessens (the noise lessened, the rain lessened)
Common Phrases
- lessen the risk
- lessen the pain
- lessen the impact
- lessen the importance
- lessen the burden
Collocations
- lessen + effect
- lessen + chance
- lessen + stress
- lessen + damage
- lessen + influence
Examples
- The new policy will help lessen the burden on small businesses.
- Medicine can lessen the pain after surgery.
- Wearing a helmet will lessen the risk of serious injury.
- His apology did little to lessen the anger of the crowd.
- The storm gradually lessened in intensity.
- She spoke calmly to lessen his fears.
- Good planning can lessen the chances of failure.
- The noise from traffic finally lessened as night fell.
Synonyms or Related
- reduce
- decrease
- diminish
- ease
- alleviate
- mitigate
