lenition

/lɪˈnɪʃən/
noun
  1. The process of making something softer, milder, or less severe; a lessening of harshness.
    • The lenition of the punishment surprised everyone in the courtroom.
    • The lenition of the cold weather made the outdoor festival more enjoyable.
    • There was a gradual lenition of the strict rules at the school over the years.
Antonyms
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