Definitions and Examples of decrease, diminish, reduce
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To become smaller in size, amount, or intensity.
Example
The company's profits decreased by 20% this year due to the pandemic.
To make or become less; to reduce in size, importance, or value.
Example
The impact of his speech diminished as he kept repeating the same points.
To make something smaller or less in size, amount, or degree.
Example
She tried to reduce her carbon footprint by using public transport instead of driving.
Key Differences: decrease vs diminish vs reduce
- 1Decrease implies a gradual or sudden reduction in size, amount, or intensity.
- 2Diminish suggests a gradual or subtle decrease in importance, value, or effectiveness.
- 3Reduce conveys the idea of making something smaller or less in size, amount, or degree.
Effective Usage of decrease, diminish, reduce
- 1Business: Use these antonyms to describe financial trends, such as profits, sales, or expenses.
- 2Academics: Incorporate these antonyms in essays or research papers to show the opposite effect of a particular phenomenon.
- 3Daily Life: Utilize these antonyms in conversations to express changes in quantity, quality, or intensity.
Remember this!
The antonyms of accrued are decrease, diminish, and reduce. These antonyms convey the opposite meaning of accrued, which means to accumulate or increase over time. Use these words in business, academic, or daily life contexts to express changes in quantity, quality, or intensity.