reduce

verb

re·duce | \ ri-ˈdüs

, -ˈdyüs\

reduced; reducing

Definition of reduce

transitive verb

1a : to draw together or cause to converge : consolidate reduce all the questions to one

b(1) : to diminish in size, amount, extent, or number reduce taxes reduce the likelihood of war

(2) : to decrease the volume and concentrate the flavor of by boiling add the wine and reduce the sauce for two minutes

c : to narrow down : restrict the Indians were reduced to small reservations

d : to make shorter : abridge

2 archaic : to restore to righteousness : save

3 : to bring to a specified state or condition the impact of the movie reduced them to tears

4a : to force to capitulate

b : force, compel

5a : to bring to a systematic form or character reduce natural events to laws

b : to put down in written or printed form reduce an agreement to writing

6 : to correct (a fracture) by bringing displaced or broken parts back into their normal positions

7a : to lower in grade or rank : demote

b : to lower in condition or status : downgrade

8a : to diminish in strength or density

b : to diminish in value

9a(1) : to change the denominations or form of without changing the value

(2) : to construct a geometrical figure similar to but smaller than (a given figure)

b : to transpose from one form into another : convert

c : to change (an expression) to an equivalent but more fundamental expression reduce a fraction

10 : to break down (as by crushing or grinding) : pulverize

11a : to bring to the metallic state by removal of nonmetallic elements reduce an ore by heat

b : deoxidize

c : to combine with or subject to the action of hydrogen

d(1) : to change (an element or ion) from a higher to a lower oxidation state

(2) : to add one or more electrons to (an atom or ion or molecule)

12 : to change (a stressed vowel) to an unstressed vowel

intransitive verb

1a(1) : to become diminished or lessened especially : to lose weight by dieting

(2) : to become reduced ferric iron reduces to ferrous iron

b : to become concentrated or consolidated

c : to undergo meiosis

2 : to become converted or equated

Other Words from reduce Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about reduce

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Other Words from reduce

reducer noun

reducibility \ ri-ˌdü-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē

, -ˌdyü- \ noun

reducible \ ri-ˈdü-sə-bəl

, -ˈdyü- \ adjective

reducibly \ ri-ˈdü-sə-blē

\ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for reduce

decrease, lessen, diminish, reduce, abate, dwindle mean to grow or make less. decrease suggests a progressive decline in size, amount, numbers, or intensity. slowly decreased the amount of pressure lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than in number. has been unable to lessen her debt diminish emphasizes a perceptible loss and implies its subtraction from a total. his visual acuity has diminished reduce implies a bringing down or lowering. you must reduce your caloric intake abate implies a reducing of something excessive or oppressive in force or amount. the storm abated dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller. their provisions dwindled slowly

conquer, vanquish, defeat, subdue, reduce, overcome, overthrow mean to get the better of by force or strategy. conquer implies gaining mastery of. Caesar conquered Gaul vanquish implies a complete overpowering. vanquished the enemy and ended the war defeat does not imply the finality or completeness of vanquish which it otherwise equals. the Confederates defeated the Union forces at Manassas subdue implies a defeating and suppression. subdued the native tribes after years of fighting reduce implies a forcing to capitulate or surrender. the city was reduced after a month-long siege overcome suggests getting the better of with difficulty or after hard struggle. overcame a host of bureaucratic roadblocks overthrow stresses the bringing down or destruction of existing power. violently overthrew the old regime

Examples of reduce in a Sentence

The medicine reduces the risk of infection. We are trying to reduce our debt. Stricter speed limit enforcement has reduced the number of car accidents. Her prison sentence was reduced from 15 years to 10.

Recent Examples on the Web

There will be sensory bags with noise-reducing headphones, fidget toys and other items available to patients. — William Thornton | Wthornton@al.com, al, "Urgent Care for Children clinics now certified for autistic, sensory sensitive," 5 Sep. 2019 In a nod to those concerns, administration officials insisted in a briefing on Thursday with reporters that their plans would create more competition in housing finance and would reduce costs for borrowers, not raise them. — New York Times, "Trump Moves to Send Mortg

reduce

Definition of reduce

Other Words from reduce

Synonyms & Antonyms for reduce

Choose the Right Synonym for reduce

Examples of reduce in a Sentence

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