Lessened

Lessened is the past participle of lessen, a verb meaning to make something smaller or to reduce its extent, intensity, or amount. It is commonly used to describe changes in degree that have already occurred or are ongoing in a narrative or analysis.

As a verb form, lessened appears in perfect and passive constructions: “The pain has lessened,” “Emissions have lessened over the decade.” It can also function as an adjective, as in “a lessened risk” or “lessened impact,” where it describes something that has been reduced in magnitude.

Etymology and origins: The verb lessen developed in Middle English from earlier Germanic roots; it is related to other Germanic words for reduce or lessen. The past participle lessened retains the sense of having been diminished or decreased in size, amount, or intensity.

Usage notes: Lessened is most common in formal and descriptive writing. It often implies a more pronounced or measurable reduction than synonyms like reduced or decreased, though the exact nuance depends on context.

See also: reduce, diminish, decrease, attenuation, reduction.