lessen
gb/lˈɛsən/ us/lˈɛsən/
B2
Inglés
~ 9400
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
formal
B2
action
1
make something smaller or weaker
To reduce how strong, big, or serious something is.
Patrón de uso:
to lessen [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes write *"less the risk"* instead of *"lessen the risk"*. "Less" is usually an adjective or adverb, while "lessen" is a verb meaning "to make something less." Another common mistake is saying *"lessen down"* or *"lessen up"*—"lessen" is used alone, without these extra particles. Learners may also overuse "lessen" in very casual speech where "cut" or "bring down" would sound more natural.
Sinónimos
reduce (Most common and general; slightly less formal than "lessen" and used in more contexts, including numbers and sizes.)
|
decrease (Very close in meaning; slightly more technical or mathematical than "lessen" in many contexts.)
|
alleviate (Often used for pain, problems, or suffering; suggests making something easier to bear rather than just smaller in amount.)
|
ease (Common for pain, tension, or pressure; focuses on making something feel less severe.)
Antónimos
increase (Opposite in amount or degree; something becomes larger or greater instead of smaller.)
|
worsen (Opposite in quality or severity; problems, pain, or conditions become more serious instead of less serious.)
|
intensify (Opposite in strength; feelings, efforts, or effects become stronger rather than weaker.)
Colocaciones
lessen the impact
|lessen the risk
|lessen the pain
|lessen the burden
|lessen the chance
|lessen the effects
Temas
daily life
|health
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The new safety measures are designed to lessen the risk of accidents at the factory.
- Taking breaks during the day can help lessen stress at work.
- The government introduced tax cuts to lessen the financial burden on low‑income families.
- He spoke slowly to lessen the chance of being misunderstood.
- Planting trees along the road can help lessen the effects of air pollution.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This medicine will lessen your pain.
- We need to wear masks to lessen the risk of illness.
- A good plan can lessen problems later.
- They added more staff to lessen the workload.
- She turned off the lights to lessen the cost of electricity.
Verbo
formal
B2
action
2
become smaller or weaker
To slowly become less strong, big, or serious.
Patrón de uso:
[something] lessens
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use the passive form *"was lessened"* when no person or thing is doing the action, e.g. saying *"The pain was lessened"* instead of the more natural intransitive *"The pain lessened"*. Another issue is confusing this with comparative "less" and writing *"The pain was less and less"* where *"The pain lessened"* is shorter and more natural.
Sinónimos
decrease (Neutral and very close in meaning; often used for numbers and measurable amounts as they go down.)
|
diminish (Slightly more formal; common for feelings, influence, or importance that slowly become weaker.)
|
subside (Often used for pain, anger, noise, or storms when they slowly become weaker and quieter.)
|
ease (Used especially for pain, tension, or worry as they become less strong or less uncomfortable.)
Antónimos
increase (Opposite in amount; numbers, levels, or quantities go up instead of down.)
|
grow (Opposite for size or intensity; something becomes larger or stronger instead of smaller.)
|
intensify (Opposite in strength; feelings, effects, or activities become more powerful rather than weaker.)
Colocaciones
pain lessens
|tension lessens
|wind lessens
|symptoms lessen
|anger lessens
|demand lessens
Temas
daily life
|health
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- As the evening went on, the noise from the party gradually lessened.
- Her anger lessened after he apologized sincerely.
- The pain began to lessen once the medicine took effect.
- When the rain lessened, we decided to walk home.
- Public interest in the story slowly lessened over the following weeks.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The pain will lessen in a few hours.
- The rain is starting to lessen now.
- Her fear lessened when she saw her friend.
- The traffic lessened after 8 p.m.
- His stress lessened during the vacation.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
lessen
AFI
GB/lˈɛsən/
US/lˈɛsən/
Sílabas y acento
lessen (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (lessen)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: lessen
- 3rd Person Singular: lessens
- Present Participle: lessening
- Past: lessened
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
lessen the blow
1/lˈɛsən ðə blˈoʊ/
idiom
make bad news feel less harsh
To make bad news or a bad event feel less painful or less shocking.
Ejemplos
- To lessen the blow of the pay cut, the company offered extra vacation days.
- She tried to lessen the blow by telling him the bad news gently and in private.
lessen the impact
1/lˈɛsən ðə ˈɪmpækt/
fixed phrase
formal
reduce the effect of something
To make the bad results or strong effect of something smaller or weaker.
Ejemplos
- Better planning can help lessen the impact of natural disasters on local communities.
- They introduced flexible hours to lessen the impact of layoffs on employees' lives.
lessen the risk
1/lˈɛsən ðə ɹˈɪsk/
fixed phrase
formal
reduce the chance of danger
To make it less likely that something bad will happen.
Ejemplos
- Wearing a seat belt can greatly lessen the risk of serious injury in a crash.
- Regular exercise and a healthy diet can lessen the risk of heart disease.