Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [les-uh n]
- /ˈlɛs ən/
- /ˈles.ən/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [les-uh n]
- /ˈlɛs ən/
Definitions of lessening word
- verb without object lessening to become less. 1
- verb with object lessening to make less; reduce. 1
- verb with object lessening Archaic. to represent as less; depreciate; disparage. 1
- noun lessening Present participle of lessen. 1
- noun lessening reduction, decrease 1
- adjective lessening becoming less 1
Information block about the term
Origin of lessening
First appearance:
before 1300 One of the 15% oldest English words
1300-50; late Middle English lessenen, lasnen (see less, -en1); replacing Middle English lessen
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Lessening
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
lessening popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
According to our data about 57% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.
lessening usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for lessening
adj lessening
- shrinking — to draw back, as in retreat or avoidance: to shrink from danger; to shrink from contact.
- waning — to decrease in strength, intensity, etc.: Daylight waned, and night came on. Her enthusiasm for the cause is waning.
- narrowing — of little breadth or width; not broad or wide; not as wide as usual or expected: a narrow path.
- slackening — an act of becoming looser
- sinking — to displace part of the volume of a supporting substance or object and become totally or partially submerged or enveloped; fall or descend into or below the surface or to the bottom (often followed by in or into): The battleship sank within two hours. His foot sank in the mud. Her head sinks into the pillows.
noun lessening
- shrinkage — the act or fact of shrinking.
- discount — to deduct a certain amount from (a bill, charge, etc.): All bills that are paid promptly will be discounted at two percent.
- reduction — the act of reducing or the state of being reduced.
- decline — If something declines, it becomes less in quantity, importance, or strength.
- detraction — a person, thing, circumstance, etc, that detracts
adjective lessening
- falling — to drop or descend under the force of gravity, as to a lower place through loss or lack of support.
- reducing — to bring down to a smaller extent, size, amount, number, etc.: to reduce one's weight by 10 pounds.
- diminishing — Make or become less.
- depreciating — Present participle of depreciate.
- fading — to lose brightness or vividness of color.
Antonyms for lessening
noun lessening
- increase — to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: to increase taxes.
- rise — to get up from a lying, sitting, or kneeling posture; assume an upright position: She rose and walked over to greet me. With great effort he rose to his knees.
- addition — An addition to something is a thing which is added to it.
adjective lessening
- increasing — growing larger or greater; enlarging; augmenting.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with l
- Words starting with le
- Words starting with les
- Words starting with less
- Words starting with lesse
- Words starting with lessen
- Words starting with lesseni
- Words starting with lessenin
- Words starting with lessening