Examples of lesser in a Sentence
Adjective
The winner will receive $100; lesser amounts will be given to three runners-up.
A lesser man than he might have simply given up.
She agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
Recent Examples on the Web
Staff Writer
follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 31 Jan. 2023
Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
The son of Cooper, the lesser known third Manning brother, is taking over Texas' starting quarterback job in his third season.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lesser
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Adjective
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
The story of 2022 (and 2021 to a lesser extent) was energy.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 31 Jan. 2023
Adverb
Even though people weren’t flying as much, everyone became more familiar with digital tools—Zoom, but also Slack, Teams, Google Docs—that might once have been lesser known.
—Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 25 July 2025
The son of Cooper, the lesser known third Manning brother, is taking over Texas' starting quarterback job in his third season.
—Chase Goodbread, The Tuscaloosa News, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lesser
Cite this Entry
“Lesser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesser. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lesser
1 of 2 adjective
less·er
ˈles-ər 
: of smaller size or importance
lesser
2 of 2 adverbLegal Definition
lesser
adjective
less·er
ˈle-sər
: of less size, quality, degree, or significance
specifically
: of lower criminal liability
duress has been held a good defense to such lesser crimes as robbery, burglary and malicious mischief —W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr. Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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