Contract
Contract verb - To become smaller in size or volume through the drawing together of particles of matter.
Usage example: metal contracts at low temperatures
Lessen is a synonym for contract in quantity topic. In some cases you can use "Lessen" instead a verb "Contract", when it comes to topics like decrease, condense.
Lessen
Lessen verb - To make smaller in amount, volume, or extent.
Usage example: we lessened our efforts as it became clear they weren't having an effect
Contract is a synonym for lessen in quantity topic. Sometimes you can use "Contract" instead a verb "Lessen", if it concerns topics such as lower, fade, grow less.
Mutual synonyms
Cite this Source
Lessen and Contract. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/contract/lessen
Contract & Lessen. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/contract/lessen>.
Lessen or Contract. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/contract/lessen.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "contract" and "lessen" have occurred on timeline