Another Word for Reduce – Meaning, Synonyms, and Examples
The word reduce is a common verb meaning to make smaller or lesser in amount, size, degree, or intensity. To make your English more varied and professional, learning another word for reduce will help. Using synonyms allows you to specify whether you mean decreasing, lessening, or constricting.
What is Another Word for Reduce?
A great synonym for reduce is decrease. Reduce means to make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. Decrease means to make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree. Both words are essentially direct substitutes, capturing the idea of a lessening of quantity or magnitude. Learning words like decrease helps you convey a formal, precise sense of quantitative lowering.
Meaning of “Reduce”
Reduce means to make smaller or less in amount, size, degree, or intensity; to bring to a simpler or less complex form; or, to lower a price.
We use it for quantity (to reduce the volume), complexity (to reduce a problem to simple terms), or price (to reduce costs).
Synonyms for “Reduce”
Here are some common ways to say reduce:
- Decrease: To make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, or degree. (A strong, direct alternative, often used quantitatively.)
- Lessen: To make or become less; diminish. (Used when emphasizing a diminished intensity or quality.)
- Diminish: To make or become less; lessen. (A formal alternative emphasizing a steady decline.)
- Lower: To move (something) to a less elevated position; or, to reduce in amount or degree. (Used when emphasizing a decrease in height, standard, or price.)
- Curtail: To reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on. (Used when emphasizing cutting back or restricting.)
Example Sentences
- The company must decrease its spending on non-essential travel immediately.
- The therapy aims to lessen the severity of the patient’s chronic pain.
- The daylight hours diminish noticeably as winter approaches.
- We need to lower the minimum passing score to increase the candidate pool.
- New government regulations will curtail the use of certain chemicals in manufacturing.
Mini Dialogue
Sam: “How can we reduce the noise level in the office?”
Mia: “We could ask everyone to lower their speaking voices. That would lessen the background distraction.”
Sam: “And we should curtail the use of personal audio devices.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don’t use Lower when referring to an abstract concept like complexity. Use Simplify for complexity.
✅ Do use Decrease or Diminish for quantitative or measurable amounts, and Lessen for feelings or intensity.
Let’s Practice!
Which synonym best fits this sentence? “The board voted to __________ the size of the company’s vehicle fleet to cut costs.” (Answer: Curtail – This synonym works best because it refers specifically to cutting back or imposing a restriction on the extent or quantity of something.)
Practice Tip
Use decrease or diminish instead of “reduce” in your next formal report to sound more precise.
Final Note
Knowing what is another word for reduce and practicing synonyms like decrease and lessen will help you describe the lowering of amounts and intensity clearly.
