'Lessen' definitions:

Definition of 'lessen'

From: WordNet
verb
Decrease in size, extent, or range; "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper" [syn: decrease, diminish, lessen, fall] [ant: increase]
verb
Make smaller; "He decreased his staff" [syn: decrease, lessen, minify] [ant: increase]
verb
Wear off or die down; "The pain subsided" [syn: subside, lessen]

Definition of 'Lessen'

From: GCIDE
  • Lessen \Less"en\, v. i. To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished; as, the apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them; his care, or his wealth, lessened. [1913 Webster]
  • The objection lessens much, and comes to no more than this: there was one witness of no good reputation. --Atterbury. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Lessen'

From: GCIDE
  • Lessen \Less"en\ (l[e^]s"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lessened (-'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Lessening.] [From Less, a.] To make less; to reduce; to make smaller, or fewer; to diminish; to lower; to degrade; as, to lessen a kingdom, or a population; to lessen speed, rank, fortune. [1913 Webster]
  • Charity . . . shall lessen his punishment. --Calamy. [1913 Webster]
  • St. Paul chose to magnify his office when ill men conspired to lessen it. --Atterbury.
  • Syn: To diminish; reduce; abate; decrease; lower; impair; weaken; degrade. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'lessen'

From: Moby Thesaurus