Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Decreased in severity; made less harsh: Describes something that has become less intense, severe, or strict.
   • Impaired by diminution: Describes something that has been reduced in force, effect, quality, or value.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The patient's pain was lessened after taking the medication. (The intensity of the pain was reduced.)
  • With the new evidence, the charges against him were lessened. (The severity of the legal charges was decreased.)
  • The storm's impact was lessened by the sturdy sea wall. (The force or damaging effect of the storm was reduced.)

Advanced Usage

• "A lessened burden": A responsibility or weight that has been reduced.
  • The scholarship provided a lessened financial burden for the family.
• "With lessened enthusiasm": With a reduced level of excitement or eagerness.
  • He continued the project with lessened enthusiasm after the initial setback.

Variants and Related Words

• Lessen (verb): To make or become less.
  • The medicine will lessen the swelling.
• Lessening (noun): The action of making or becoming less.
  • We hope for a lessening of tensions between the two countries.

Synonyms

• Reduced: Made smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
• Diminished: Made or became less.
• Weakened: Reduced in strength or intensity.
• Alleviated: Made (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.

Antonyms

• Increased: Made or became greater in size, amount, or degree.
• Intensified: Became or made more intense.
• Heightened: Increased in degree or intensity.

Notes on Usage

• "Lessened" is often used to describe the of an action (the state of having been reduced). It is the past participle of the verb "lessen" used adjectivally.
• It is commonly applied to abstract concepts like pain, severity, impact, risk, tension, or burden.

Adjective

1. decreased in severity; made less harsh
2. impaired by diminution