reduce

[rɪˈdjuːs]

reduce Definition

• 1. to make something smaller in size, amount, or degree
• 2. to simplify or make something more basic
• 3. to lower the price of something

Using reduce: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "reduce" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  We need to reduce our expenses to save money.

• Example

  The recipe calls for reducing the sauce by half.

• Example

  The company is planning to reduce its workforce.

• Example

  The government has promised to reduce taxes.

reduce Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for reduce

• decrease
• diminish
• lessen
• lower
• minimize

Antonyms for reduce

• increase
• raise
• expand
• enlarge
• augment

Idioms Using reduce

• reduce someone to something

  to cause someone to be in a particular state or condition

  Example

  The constant criticism reduced him to a nervous wreck.

• reduce something to a science

  to study something in great detail and understand it completely

  Example

  He has reduced cooking to a science, experimenting with different ingredients and techniques.

• reduce something to writing

  to put something in writing, especially a legal agreement

  Example

  We need to reduce the terms of the contract to writing before we sign it.

Phrases with reduce

• reduce to tears

  to make someone cry

  Example

  The movie was so sad that it reduced me to tears.

• reduce to rubble

  to completely destroy a building or structure

  Example

  The earthquake reduced the city to rubble.

• reduce to ashes

  to completely burn something

  Example

  The fire reduced the house to ashes.

Origins of reduce

from Latin 'reducere', meaning 'bring back'

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Summary: reduce in Brief

The verb 'reduce' [rɪˈdjuːs] means to make something smaller, simpler, or less expensive. It can refer to decreasing expenses, simplifying a recipe, lowering the workforce, or reducing taxes. The phrase 'reduce to tears' means to make someone cry, while 'reduce to rubble' and 'reduce to ashes' mean to completely destroy something. The idiom 'reduce someone to something' means to cause someone to be in a particular state or condition.