less 1 of 2

adjective

ˈles How to pronounce less (audio)
Definition of lessnext
as in lesser
having not so great importance or rank as another the restaurant's chowder has been declared the state's best by no less a person than the governor himself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

less

2 of 2

preposition

as in wanting

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of less
Adjective
But a record snow drought means there’s far less water to recharge those sources. — Wufei Yu, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 The nominees and winners at the Creative Arts Emmys aren’t lesser talents working on lesser shows. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026
Preposition
Vance has since taken care to appear supportive of the president, if less so about the specifics of the war effort. — Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for less
Recent Examples of Synonyms for less
  1. lesser
  2. minus
  3. lower
  4. except
Adjective
  • Even lesser-scale incidents like the Varsity Blues college admissions scandal and the Volkswagen emissions scandal erode trust in the institutions that help make our society possible and push it forward.
    — Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • Toronto’s Fred VanVleet appears to be the top target, but Miami’s Kyle Lowry, Utah’s Mike Conley and, perhaps to a lesser extent, Charlotte’s Terry Rozier have been linked to the team at various points.
    — Staff Writer Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023
Definition of lesser
Preposition
  • For the right home, and the right wellness aficionado, all of that will feel like chump change for the sauna experience minus the home renovation.
    — Evan Russum, Architectural Digest, 22 Aug. 2026
  • The use of Automatic License Plate Readers has boomed since 2025, with more than 134,000 documented in every state minus Alaska, according to DeFlock.
    — TJ Rhodes, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of minus
Adjective
  • Despite those lower court rulings, the practice has continued nationally, said Gregory Chen, the senior director of government relations for the Immigration Lawyers Association.
    — Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 3 Sep. 2025
  • And ultimately, the Supreme Court overruled those lower court rulings and did declare the embryos as children qualifying under the wrongful death statute.
    — Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024
Definition of lower
Preposition
  • At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, face masks are required in public areas, except when dining or swimming, capacity of public areas will be limited, and housekeeping and public area attendants will increase their cleaning procedures.
    — Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2020
  • The city advised all residents to stay inside except those going to and from work and anyone seeking or giving emergency care, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti's official Twitter account.
    — NBC News, NBC News, 1 June 2020
Definition of except

Phrases Containing less

Browse Nearby Words

lesions
less
lessee
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Less.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/less. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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