What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
degrade
Example
The metal will degrade over time due to exposure to the elements. [degrade: verb]
Example
The company's reputation was degraded by the scandal. [degraded: past participle]
Example
It is not appropriate to degrade others based on their appearance. [degrade: verb]
reduce
Example
We need to reduce our carbon footprint to help the environment. [reduce: verb]
Example
The price of the product was reduced during the sale. [reduced: past participle]
Example
Can you reduce the instructions to a few simple steps? [reduce: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reduce is more commonly used than degrade in everyday language. Reduce is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while degrade is less common and often used in more specific or technical contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between degrade and reduce?
Degrade is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while reduce is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
