lessen
Translation
to lessen, to reduce, to diminish
Examples
The medicine will lessen the pain.
The medicine will lessen the pain.
His enthusiasm for the project has lessened.
His enthusiasm for the project has lessened.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to make (sth.) smaller or less The medicine will lessen the pain.
to become smaller or less His enthusiasm for the project has lessened.
Similar Words
Synonyms: reduce, decrease, diminish; Antonyms: increase, heighten, intensify
Etymology
From 'less' + '-en' (a verb-forming suffix). It literally means 'to make less'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'less-en' as literally 'to make something less'. The '-en' suffix often turns adjectives into verbs (e.g., short -> shorten).