Definition of "lessen" []

• To make less; reduce. (verb-transitive)
• Archaic To make little of; belittle. (verb-transitive)
• To become less; decrease. See Synonyms at decrease. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "If you have a Marine or Sailor in 1st platoon, don't be surprised if the frequency of your loved ones calls lessen and their e-mails stop altogether."
• "But he knew he would have to use some other stuff to kind of lessen the sting of his disagreement with how McCain is handling that situation about a confidential source."
• "Nor will they "lessen" it or compromise it in anyway."