What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
attenuation
Example
The walls of the soundproof room provide attenuation of outside noise. [attenuation: noun]
Example
The medication can cause attenuation of pain. [attenuation: noun]
decrease
Example
There has been a decrease in the number of students attending the school. [decrease: noun]
Example
She decided to decrease the amount of sugar in her coffee. [decrease: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Decrease is more commonly used than attenuation in everyday language. Decrease is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while attenuation is more specific and commonly used in technical or scientific fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between attenuation and decrease?
While attenuation is typically associated with a more formal and technical tone, decrease is more commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.