Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

lessen

 verb
     
less‧en [intransitive and transitive]
to become smaller in size, importance, or value, or make something do this [= reduce]
lessen the risk/chance/possibility etc (of something)
Exercise lessens the risk of heart disease.
lessen the impact/effect/importance (of something)
The new project will lessen the effects of car pollution.
Gradually her anxiety lessened.
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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