Decrease and Lighten

noun

• A change downward.
  • usage: "there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided"; "there was a sharp drop-off in sales"
  • synonyms: lessening, drop-off
• A process of becoming smaller or shorter.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The amount by which something decreases.
  • synonyms: decrement
• The act of decreasing or reducing something.
  • synonyms: diminution, reduction, step-down

verb

• Decrease in size, extent, or range.
  • usage: "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper"
  • synonyms: diminish, lessen, fall
• Make smaller.
  • usage: "He decreased his staff"
  • synonyms: lessen, minify

• (v.t.) To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
• (v.) A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
• (n.) To grow less, -- opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc. or in strength, quality or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
• (v.) The wane of the moon.

verb

• Make more cheerful.
  • usage: "the conversation lightened me up a bit"
  • synonyms: lighten up, buoy up
• Reduce the weight on; make lighter.
  • usage: "she lightened the load on the tired donkey"
• Become more cheerful.
  • usage: "after a glass of wine, he lightened up a bit"
  • synonyms: lighten up, buoy up
• Make lighter or brighter.
  • usage: "The paint will brighten the room"
  • synonyms: brighten, lighten up
• Become lighter.
  • usage: "The room lightened up"
  • synonyms: lighten up
• Alleviate or remove (pressure or stress) or make less oppressive.
  • usage: "relieve the pressure and the stress"; "lighten the burden of caring for her elderly parents"
  • synonyms: relieve