re
duce
Third Person
reduces
Present Participle
reducing
Past Tense
reduced
Past Participle
reduced
1
to make something smaller in amount, degree, price, etc.
transitive
- The company decided to reduce the prices of its products to attract more customers.
- Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help reduce the risk of certain diseases.
- The government implemented measures to reduce pollution in urban areas.
- Cutting unnecessary expenses is one way to reduce financial stress.
- The chef suggested using alternative ingredients to reduce the calorie content of the dish.
2
to become less in size or amount
- The swelling in her ankle has reduced significantly since she started taking medication.
- As the temperature rose, the snow on the ground began to reduce, eventually melting away.
- After the rain stopped, the floodwaters gradually reduced.
- The prices at the store are expected to reduce after the holiday season.
- The company's profits have reduced due to economic downturn.
Synonyms:
3
to simplify or present a problem or subject in a more manageable form
- The report was carefully condensed to reduce the complex research findings into easily understandable summaries.
- In order to facilitate understanding, the lecturer reduced the intricate biological process to a series of easily digestible stages.
- The textbook was designed to reduce historical events into concise narratives.
- The researcher used statistical analysis to reduce the vast dataset into meaningful trends and patterns.
4
to bring someone or something to a state or condition that is worse or less desirable than before
- The harsh criticism from his colleagues reduced his confidence to an all-time low.
- His reckless behavior reduced his once-promising career to ruins.
- The fire reduced the historic building to rubble, devastating the local community.
- The scandal reduced the company's reputation to shambles, resulting in significant losses.
- The prolonged drought reduced the fertile farmland to barren wasteland, causing widespread agricultural losses.
5
to lower someone's rank, position, or level of responsibility
transitive
- Due to budget cuts, the company had to reduce several middle managers to lower positions within the organization.
- After the merger, some managers were reduced to regular staff roles.
- Despite years of dedicated service, he was reduced to a junior position after the restructuring of the department.
- The board's decision to reduce him to an advisory role came as a shock to many colleagues.
- In response to declining sales figures, several sales executives were reduced to entry-level sales positions.
6
to simplify an expression by performing operations that make it smaller or more manageable
transitive
- A matrix with redundant rows or columns can be reduced by eliminating the redundancies.
- 0.75 can be reduced to 3/4 by expressing it as a fraction in its simplest form.
- We reduce the equation 3x+6x by combining like terms.
- To reduce the fraction 12/15, divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.
7
to narrow down or limit the extent, size, or scope of something
transitive
- To enhance security, the organization implemented measures to reduce access to sensitive data.
- In order to meet the budget constraints, the project manager had to reduce the scope of the construction project.
- The company decided to reduce its product line to focus on its core offerings.
Synonyms:
8
to undergo a process where an atom, ion, or molecule gains electrons, resulting in a decrease in its oxidation
transitive
- Oxygen gas is often reduced to water during combustion reactions.
- The copper ions in the solution were successfully reduced to form a metallic copper deposit on the cathode.
- During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is reduced to form glucose, a process vital for plant growth.
- The electron transport chain in cellular respiration reduces oxygen molecules to produce water.
- The addition of sodium borohydride served to reduce the aldehyde group in the organic compound to a primary alcohol.
Antonyms:
9
to lose body weight through lifestyle changes, dietary modifications, physical activity, or medical treatments
- She's been working hard to reduce for her upcoming wedding.
- Despite her busy schedule, she managed to reduce significantly by cutting out junk food.
- He's determined to reduce before his high school reunion.
- She's been able to reduce by making small changes to her lifestyle, like walking more and drinking plenty of water.
- She's excited about the results she's seeing as she continues to reduce.
Antonyms:
10
to simmer a liquid until it thickens and intensifies in flavor through evaporation
transitive
- The chef reduced the balsamic vinegar until it formed a thick, sweet glaze for the steak.
- The recipe instructed to reduce the chicken broth until it thickened, adding richness to the soup.
- He reduced the cream over low heat, creating a velvety sauce to accompany the seafood.
Synonyms:
11
to modify the pronunciation of a word or sound to make it easier to articulate or to accommodate the rhythm and flow of speech
transitive
- In English, the pronunciation of the word "button" may be reduced in casual speech to "buh-in".
- The unstressed vowel in the word "banana" is often reduced to a schwa sound (ə) in connected speech.
- The sound "t" in the phrase "next week" may be reduced or elided in rapid speech.
- In British English, the final "r" sound in words like "car" may be reduced or dropped in connected speech.
12
to halve the chromosome number during cell division
- In spermatogenesis, primary spermatocytes reduce through meiosis to form haploid spermatids.
- During meiosis, homologous chromosomes pair up and exchange genetic material before the cells reduce.
- The primary function of meiosis is to ensure that cells reduce properly, resulting in genetic diversity among offspring.
- The spindle apparatus plays a crucial role in ensuring that chromosomes separate correctly as cells undergo meiosis and reduce to form gametes.
13
to restore a dislocated or fractured bone to its normal position or alignment
transitive
- The orthopedic surgeon successfully reduced the patient's fractured femur back into its proper alignment.
- After the car crash, the paramedics administered pain relief to the injured driver before attempting to reduce the displaced hip joint.
- The physical therapist used gentle traction and manipulation techniques to reduce the patient's spinal subluxation.
14
to gain control over somebody or something by overcoming resistance or opposition
transitive
- Despite their outnumbered forces, the general's strategy was to reduce the enemy stronghold through relentless siege tactics.
- The army's decisive victory reduced the opposing forces, securing control over the region.
- Through diplomacy and military might, the kingdom sought to reduce neighboring territories.
- The conqueror's ambition was to reduce all neighboring kingdoms, establishing a vast empire under his rule.
- The charismatic leader's ability to inspire loyalty and unity helped him reduce rival factions, consolidating his power.