lesser priority

USAGE SUMMARY

"lesser priority" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe something as being of lower or less important priority compared to other things. Example: "We need to focus on completing the urgent tasks first before addressing the lesser priorities on our to-do list."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Williams's own game has been a lesser priority.

The New York Times - Sports

It was a hassle to get an appointment and made it seem like a lesser priority.

The Guardian

They want proven commodities to pitch for them, with offense a lesser priority.

The New York Times

Under Pellegrini, marquee names seem likely to be a lesser priority than a team ethic.

The Guardian - Sport

"Crimes against women have been accorded a lesser priority throughout history," he said.

The Guardian

Yet governing would seem to be a lesser priority right now.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

It was designed to be cheap and lightweight, he said, with reliability and longevity as lesser priorities.

The Washington Post

Many economists are particularly critical of the arbitrary nature of the cuts, arguing that Congress could reduce annual deficits by the same amount with far less economic damage by spreading the cuts across a broader range of programs, directing them at lesser priorities or giving government agencies more discretion in how they make them.

The New York Times

Instead, many projects find themselves competing for limited resources, directing attention toward lesser priorities and generally clogging up the system.

TechCrunch

It's tempting to view ethics and compliance as lesser priorities compared to all the other things the C-suite is focused on (growth, profitability, a competitive advantage, etc.).

Forbes

Lesser priorities, wrote Deputy Atty.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lesser priority", clearly define what the higher priorities are to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "While cost savings are important, customer satisfaction is a lesser priority."

Common error

Avoid assuming the reader understands the relative importance of items; explicitly state why something is a "lesser priority". For example, avoid saying "Marketing is a lesser priority"; instead, explain "Marketing is a lesser priority this quarter due to budget constraints." This ensures clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lesser priority" functions as a noun phrase, where "lesser" modifies the noun "priority". According to Ludwig, it is used to identify something that has a lower level of importance compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lesser priority" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that signifies something is of reduced importance compared to other factors. Ludwig AI indicates that it appears frequently across news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure you explicitly state why something is considered a "lesser priority" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "lower importance" or "secondary importance" can be used, but "lesser priority" is a direct and widely understood way to convey reduced significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower priority

Uses 'lower' instead of 'lesser', conveying the same meaning of reduced precedence.

lower importance

Indicates a decrease in the significance or relevance of something.

secondary importance

Highlights that something is not the main concern or focus.

de-prioritized

Highlights the action of actively reducing the importance of something.

reduced emphasis

Shifts focus to the amount of attention given to something.

less crucial

Indicates that something is not as vital or essential.

minor concern

Indicates that something is not a significant worry or issue.

lower ranking

Emphasizes the hierarchical position of something in terms of importance.

subordinate position

Highlights that something is in a supporting or dependent role.

tertiary importance

Highlights that something has the third level of importance.

FAQs

How can I use "lesser priority" in a sentence?

You can use "lesser priority" to indicate that something is not as important as something else. For example, "Due to budget constraints, renovations are a "lesser priority" this year."

What's a good alternative to "lesser priority"?

Alternatives include "lower importance", "secondary importance", or "lower priority" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "low priority" instead of "lesser priority"?

"Low priority" is a commonly used and perfectly acceptable alternative to "lesser priority". They convey essentially the same meaning.

How does "lesser priority" compare to "not a priority"?

"Lesser priority" implies that something is still important but not as urgent, while "not a priority" suggests something is being completely disregarded for the time being.