Reduce vs. Decrease

Difference Between Reduce and Decrease

Reduceverb

(transitive) To bring down the size, quantity, quality, value or intensity of something; to diminish, to lower, to impair.

to reduce weight, speed, heat, expenses, price, personnel etc.

Decreaseverb

(intransitive) Of a quantity, to become smaller.

Reduceverb

(intransitive) To lose weight.

Decreaseverb

(transitive) To make (a quantity) smaller.

Reduceverb

(transitive) To bring to an inferior rank; to degrade, to demote.

to reduce a sergeant to the ranks

Decreasenoun

An amount by which a quantity is decreased.

One research team has recorded Baishui’s decrease at about 27 meters per year over the last 10 years. File:One research team has recorded Baishui’s decrease.ogg

Reduceverb

(transitive) To humble; to conquer; to subdue; to capture.

to reduce a province or a fort

Decreasenoun

(knitting) A reduction in the number of stitches, usually accomplished by suspending the stitch to be decreased from another existing stitch or by knitting it together with another stitch. See Decrease (knitting).

Reduceverb

(transitive) To bring to an inferior state or condition.

to reduce a city to ashes

Decreasenoun

a change downward;

there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsidedthere was a sharp drop-off in sales

Reduceverb

To decrease the liquid content of food by boiling much of its water off.

Decreasenoun

a process of becoming smaller or shorter

Reduceverb

To add electrons / hydrogen or to remove oxygen.

Decreasenoun

the amount by which something decreases

Reduceverb

To produce metal from ore by removing nonmetallic elements in a smelter.

Decreasenoun

the act of decreasing or reducing something

Reduceverb

To simplify an equation or formula without changing its value.

Decreaseverb

decrease in size, extent, or range;

The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semesterThe cabin pressure fell dramaticallyher weight fall to under a hundred poundshis voice fell to a whisper

Reduceverb

To express the solution of a problem in terms of another (known) algorithm.

Decreaseverb

make smaller;

He decreased his staff

Reduceverb

To convert a syllogism to a clearer or simpler form

Reduceverb

To convert to written form (Usage note: this verb almost always take the phrase "to writing").

It is important that all business contracts be reduced to writing.

Reduceverb

To perform a reduction; to restore a fracture or dislocation to the correct alignment.

Reduceverb

To reform a line or column from (a square).

Reduceverb

To translate (a book, document, etc.).

a book reduced into English

Reduceverb

cut down on; make a reduction in;

reduce your daily fat intakeThe employer wants to cut back health benefits

Reduceverb

make less complex;

reduce a problem to a single question

Reduceverb

bring to humbler or weaker state or condition;

He reduced the population to slavery

Reduceverb

simplify the form of a mathematical equation of expression by substituting one term for another

Reduceverb

lower in grade or rank or force somebody into an undignified situation;

She reduced her niece to a servant

Reduceverb

be the essential element;

The proposal boils down to a compromise

Reduceverb

reduce in size; reduce physically;

Hot water will shrink the sweaterCan you shrink this image?

Reduceverb

lessen and make more modest;

reduce one's standard of living

Reduceverb

make smaller;

reduce an image

Reduceverb

to remove oxygen from a compound, or cause to react with hydrogen or form a hydride, or to undergo an increase in the number of electrons

Reduceverb

narrow or limit;

reduce the influx of foreigners

Reduceverb

put down by force or intimidation;

The government quashes any attempt of an uprisingChina keeps down her dissidents very efficientlyThe rich landowners subjugated the peasants working the land