Skip to main content
to reduce

to reduce

1.6
To make something smaller in amount, size, or number
  • verb
  • /rɪˈdjuːs/
translation icon : reducir
  • By exercising regularly, you can reduce your risk of heart disease.
  • reduce the risk
  • reduce prices
  • reduce costs

And So what was it that reduced the cost of exit?

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Are there ways to reduce the symptoms of long COVID?

    ZOE
  • It's not the only thing that can reduce PMS symptoms.

  • So for us, it helps reduce weight, it helps reduce costs.

  • How will the government reduce this figure?

  • We can further reduce that number down to those that have been in this country less than 6 months.

  • But the great news is that quitting smoking will reduce the risk of developing cancer.

    Academic text (2015)
  • It's actually been shown to reduce scarring in the eye.

  • We had to reduce everyone's fee by two shillings.

  • But I'm getting the impression from the prosecutor that they may be willing to reduce it today to a misdemeanor.

  • We hope to reduce our energy consumption by using more efficient appliances.

Synonyms

to lower
vsto reduce
802 1.0

Make something go down in position, amount, or strength

is a general term for making amounts or sizes become smaller
to decrease
vsto reduce
325 2.0

To make something smaller in amount or size

is mainly about causing things to become smaller rather than mere change
to go down
vsto reduce
321 1.9

To become less in amount, size, or value

is the common expression for making amounts or values smaller
to diminish
vsto reduce
201 3.7

To become less in size, importance, or value

is the common notion of making things smaller in amount or worth
to shrink
vsto reduce
181 2.8

Become less in amount or value

is the general verb for making sizes amounts or values smaller
to cut back
vsto reduce
169 2.9

To reduce how much you buy and use to save money and be healthier

is the general idea of making things smaller beyond cost saving
to minimize
vsto reduce
117 3.7

Make something as small as possible to reduce its effect

is a general word for making things smaller without implying extremity
to cut
vsto reduce
  • Specialized
106 6.0

To make a liquid less strong by adding another liquid

is the broader verb for making things smaller not limited to solutions
to trim
vsto reduce
95 2.6

Cut something to make it smaller or neater

is the general term for making things smaller without implying neatness
to compress
vsto reduce
94 3.7

To press something so it takes less space

is the general term for making smaller not only by physical force
to bring down
vsto reduce
89 3.0

Make an amount or level lower

is the broader phrase for making things smaller across many contexts
to cut down
vsto reduce
65 2.7

To make something smaller in amount or number

is a general word for making something smaller in many ways
to shorten
vsto reduce
45 2.3

Make something shorter, for example an article, skirt, or route

is the general verb for making things smaller beyond just shortening time
to thin
vsto reduce
38 1.4

To become less thick or crowded, for example a crowd

is the broader term for making things less dense not only by adding liquid
to lessen
vsto reduce
34 2.8

To make something smaller in amount or strength

is the general word for causing something to be smaller or weaker
to dilute
vsto reduce
28 3.5

To make a liquid weaker by adding water

is the general verb for making things smaller not limited to liquids
to taper
vsto reduce
18 4.2

To become gradually less in size or amount

is the general term for making things smaller not only by gradual narrowing
to whittle down
vsto reduce
10 5.1

To make a list or group smaller by removing items over time

is the general action for making things smaller not only by slow removal
to pare down
vsto reduce
9 4.4

Make something smaller by removing parts you do not need

is the general term for making things smaller not only by trimming
to abbreviate
vsto reduce
9 3.6

To make something shorter while keeping the important parts

is the broader action of making things smaller not only in texts
to scale down
vsto reduce
8 4.0

To make something smaller in size or amount

is a broader expression for making things smaller not only proportionally
to downsize
vsto reduce
8 4.1

Make something smaller, like a product or living space

is the general action of making things smaller across many domains
to prune
vsto reduce
6 3.4

Cut branches and stems from a plant to help it grow and keep its shape

is a general word for making things smaller not only for plants
to trim down
vsto reduce
3 3.4

To make something smaller by cutting or removing parts

is a general action for making something smaller not only by cutting
to step down
vsto reduce
3 4.3

Reduce something to a lower level, for example power or voltage

is the general verb for making things smaller not only by small steps
to whittle away
vsto reduce
3 5.9

To make something smaller gradually by cutting or wearing it away

is the broader verb for making things smaller by any method
to thin out
vsto reduce
2 3.7

Make a drink weaker by adding water or another liquid

is the general verb for making things smaller not only by dilution
to downscale
vsto reduce
1 4.3

Make something smaller or cheaper to save money

is the broader verb for making things smaller not limited to quality
to trim back
vsto reduce
1 3.4

Make a thing smaller by cutting or removing parts

is the broader verb for making things smaller in many situations
to dwindle down
vsto reduce
1 5.1

To become slowly smaller or less until almost nothing remains

is the general verb for making something smaller not stressing near nothing
to concentrate
vsto reduce
1 4.0

To make writing or speech shorter and clearer

is the general process of making things smaller not only by condensing
to minify
vsto reduce
1 8.4

To make something smaller so it uses less space or time

is the broader verb for making things smaller without stressing minimality

Antonyms

805 2.5

To grow larger in size, amount, or importance

70 3.0

To make something bigger in size or amount

1 3.4

To make a photo or picture larger so people can see it

Phrasal Verbs

Make a swollen area of the body smaller

How Reduced

to eliminate
  • NSFW
502 3.4
to slash
79 3.7
to reduce
1.6
to cut
2.3
to decrease
325 2.0
to diminish
201 3.7

Surface Forms

reduce infinitive
reduced past
reduced past participle
reducing present participle
reduces third person singular

Morphology

reduce = re + duce

Although the form shows re + duce, 'duce' is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from familiar English components.

Etymology

Reduce comes from the Latin parts re- 'back' and ducere 'to lead', the same root you see in conduct and product. So, to reduce something is like 'leading it back' to a smaller amount, size, or number.