What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lessen
Example
The medication helped lessen the pain. [lessen: verb]
Example
The teacher tried to lessen the students' anxiety before the exam. [lessen: verb]
reduce
Example
We need to reduce our carbon footprint to help the environment. [reduce: verb]
Example
The company decided to reduce the number of employees to save money. [reduce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reduce is more commonly used than lessen in everyday language. Reduce is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lessen is less common and often used in specific contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lessen and reduce?
Both lessen and reduce can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, reduce may be more commonly used in formal writing due to its versatility and ability to convey complex ideas.
