lessenings
Becoming smaller amounts
Lessenings are instances or acts of becoming or making less—reductions, diminishments, or decreases: The medication brought some lessening of the pain.
The word appears in contexts where gradual reduction matters: a lessening of tensions between the two countries, the slow lessening of her grief over time.
Decrease in size
- contractionReduction in size
- decrementFixed amount subtracted
- cutbackPlanned reduction in spending
- curtailmentAct of reducing scope
downscaling · minimization · paring · pruning · trimming · shortening · compression · condensation
Easing of distress
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- mitigationReduction of severity
- palliationLessening severity without fixing
amelioration · assuagement · lightening · allaying · moderation · comfort · solace · respite
Gradual loss of intensity
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
tapering · receding · contracting · attenuating · depleting · de-escalating · slackening · subsiding
Become or make smaller
- downturnEconomic decline period
- dropFall or release
- slumpExtended period of decline
- dipBrief immersion or condiment
recession · deterioration · degradation · degeneration · decay · downswing · ebb · fall
Wasting from disuse
- debilitationLoss of strength or vitality
- enfeeblementState of growing weak
- enervationLoss of vigor
- impairmentDiminished function or capacity
devitalization · sapping · undermining · dilution · frailty · infirmity · debility · languishing
shrinkage
Decrease in size
- contractionReduction in size
- decrementFixed amount subtracted
- cutbackPlanned reduction in spending
curtailment · downscaling · minimization · paring · pruning · trimming · shortening · compression · condensation · abbreviation
relief
Easing of distress
- easingReducing strain or difficulty
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
- mitigationReduction of severity
palliation · amelioration · assuagement · lightening · allaying · moderation · comfort · solace · respite · abatement
fading
Gradual loss of intensity
- ebbingGradually declining or receding
- waningGradually decreasing in intensity
- dwindlingProgressively becoming smaller
shrinking · tapering · receding · contracting · attenuating · depleting · de-escalating · slackening · subsiding · petering
decrease
Become or make smaller
dip · recession · deterioration · degradation · degeneration · decay · downswing · ebb · fall · slide
atrophy
Wasting from disuse
- debilitationLoss of strength or vitality
- enfeeblementState of growing weak
- enervationLoss of vigor
impairment · devitalization · sapping · undermining · dilution · frailty · infirmity · debility · languishing · wilting
lesseningsincreases
Becomes greater in amount
augmentations · enlargements · expansions · growths · additions
lesseningsintensifications
Increases in strength
magnifications · amplifications · escalations · aggravations · exacerbations