Increase
Increase verb - To make greater in size, amount, or number.
Usage example: we have to increase the number of season-ticket holders if the local sports franchise is to survive
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
Common collocations
| experience | increase experience | lessen experience |
| quality | increase quality | lessen quality |
| power | increase power | lessen power |
| appeal | increase appeal | lessen appeal |
| Other words: amount, chance, effect, odds, time, duration, influence, security, weight, effectiveness, damage, risk, drama, chances, powers. | ||
Both words in one sentence
-
It only does two things- lessen gravity and increase it in a bubble around you, making it a cheaper version of Telekinesis.
Source: Gravity Master - And some like Ryoma's major increase in Jerkass here as they feel it helps lessen the "Hoshidans can do no wrong" Story Branch Favoritism.
Source: Broken Base / Fire Emblem Fates
Cite this Source
Lessen and Increase. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/increase/lessen
Increase & Lessen. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/increase/lessen>.
Lessen or Increase. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/increase/lessen.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "increase" and "lessen" have occurred on timeline