一、详细释义：


v.

（使）缩小；（使）减少；（使）减轻


例句：

These measures can't help to lessen the existing tension.

这些措施不能帮助缓和现在的紧张局势。


例句：

There's nothing I can say to lessen your unhappiness, but you must take care of yourself.

我没什么话可以减轻你的悲痛，但你得珍重自己。


二、词义辨析：


decrease,diminish,lessen,reduce,dwindle

这些协词的共同含义是“减少，变少”。 decrease指逐渐地、不断地减少。 diminish侧重大小数量和重要性的不断减小，强调减小的部分。 lessen普通用词，与decrease近义。指数目、程度、价值、实力等的减少。 reduce普通用词，含义广。指数量、程度的降低或减少。 dwindle与decrease同义，指逐渐减小，但强调变得越来越少终至全无。


三、参考例句：


Regular exercise can help to lessen the pain.

经常运动有助于减轻痛感。


These measures can't help to lessen the existing tension.

这些措施不能帮助缓和现在的紧张局势。


This medicine can lessen the pain in no time.

这种药可以立刻减轻痛苦。


However, these inequalities are likely to lessen now.

然而，现在这种不平等可能正在缩小。


When it is on the boil——we lessen the fire and scum.

当汤滚了之后，我们把火减小然后剽除汤里的浮渣。


The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.

人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。


Toolbelts free both hands and lessen the risk of dropping hammers.

工具腰带解放了双手，还减少了锤子掉落的风险。


It's very important to lessen the distraction and burden from your mind.

这对分散注意力，减轻负担来说很重要。


There's nothing I can say to lessen your unhappiness, but you must take care of yourself.

我没什么话可以减轻你的悲痛，但你得珍重自己。


To lessen the likelihood of being on the receiving end of reactionary insults, make sure to come with alternatives in hand.

为了减少被骂的狗血淋头的可能性，一定要有备选方案。