Decrease vs. Reduction — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 28, 2023
Decrease refers to the act of becoming smaller or fewer; Reduction means making something smaller in size, number, or extent.
Difference Between Decrease and Reduction
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Decrease and Reduction are both nouns that describe a lessening or diminishment. While Decrease primarily points to the process of diminishing, often over a period, Reduction emphasizes the outcome or result of something being made smaller.
In everyday language, one might say they've noticed a Decrease in temperature over the week. On the other hand, they might speak about a Reduction in their monthly bills after making certain adjustments.
From a numerical perspective, when numbers drop, one can talk about a Decrease in data points. In a laboratory, on the other hand, a Reduction often refers to a specific chemical reaction wherein electrons are gained.
Decrease can also be used as a verb, implying the action of lessening. For instance, "The numbers have decreased over time." Reduction, however, predominantly remains a noun, pointing to the state of being reduced.
Both Decrease and Reduction are integral to the language of downsizing or minimizing, but while Decrease often suggests a gradual decline, Reduction leans more towards an intentional action of cutting down.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Primarily a noun, but can also be a verb
Primarily a noun
Connotation
Often suggests a gradual change
Implies an intentional cut or decrease
Common Domains
General, can be used in various contexts
Often used in math, science, and finance
Usage Frequency
More common in everyday language
More specific and slightly less frequent
Relational Aspect
Points more to the process
Emphasizes the result or outcome
Compare with Definitions
Decrease
A reduction in size, amount, or extent.
The company reported a decrease in quarterly profits.
Reduction
In cooking, a thickened and concentrated liquid.
He prepared a wine reduction for the steak.
Decrease
To make or become smaller.
The population of the city has decreased in the last decade.
Reduction
The action or fact of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size
There had been a reduction in the number of casualties
Talks on arms reduction
Decrease
The process of diminishing.
He noticed a significant decrease in his stamina.
Reduction
A thing that is made smaller or less in size or amount.
Decrease
To lessen in intensity or degree.
Please decrease the volume; it's too loud.
Reduction
The action of remedying a dislocation or fracture by returning the affected part of the body to its normal position
We must see if the fracture requires reduction
Decrease
A downward trend or reduction.
There's a decrease in the number of birds due to habitat loss.
Reduction
The process or result of reducing or being reduced
The reaction is limited to reduction to the hydrocarbon
Decrease
To become or cause to become less or smaller, as in number, amount, or intensity.
Reduction
Substitution of a sound which requires less muscular effort to articulate
The process of vowel reduction
Decrease
The act or process of decreasing.
Reduction
The act or process of reducing.
Decrease
The amount by which something decreases.
Reduction
The result of reducing
A reduction in absenteeism.
Decrease
(intransitive) Of a quantity, to become smaller.
The quality of our products has decreased since the main designer left.
Reduction
The amount by which something is lessened or diminished
A reduction of 12 percent in violent crime.
Decrease
(transitive) To make (a quantity) smaller.
Let's decrease the volume a little so we can hear each other talking.
Reduction
A sauce that has been thickened or concentrated by boiling.
Decrease
An amount by which a quantity is decreased.
After six years of constant growth, the company reported a slight decrease in sales last year.
Reduction
(Biology) The first meiotic division, in which the chromosome number is reduced from diploid to haploid. Also called reduction division.
Decrease
(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).
Reduction
A decrease in positive valence or an increase in negative valence by the gaining of electrons.
Decrease
To grow less, - opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The olive leaf, which certainly them toldThe flood decreased.
Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
Reduction
A reaction in which hydrogen is combined with a compound.
Decrease
To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
That might decrease their present store.
Reduction
A reaction in which oxygen is removed from a compound.
Decrease
A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
Reduction
The canceling of common factors in the numerator and denominator of a fraction.
Decrease
The wane of the moon.
Reduction
The converting of a fraction to its decimal equivalent.
Decrease
A change downward;
There was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided
There was a sharp drop-off in sales
Reduction
The converting of an expression or equation to its simplest form.
Decrease
A process of becoming smaller or shorter
Reduction
The act, process, or result of reducing.
Decrease
The amount by which something decreases
Reduction
The amount or rate by which something is reduced, e.g. in price.
A 5% reduction in robberies
Decrease
The act of decreasing or reducing something
Reduction
(chemistry) A reaction in which electrons are gained and valence is reduced; often by the removal of oxygen or the addition of hydrogen.
Decrease
Decrease in size, extent, or range;
The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester
The cabin pressure fell dramatically
Her weight fall to under a hundred pounds
His voice fell to a whisper
Reduction
(cooking) The process of rapidly boiling a sauce to concentrate it.
Decrease
Make smaller;
He decreased his staff
Reduction
(mathematics) The rewriting of an expression into a simpler form.
Reduction
(computability theory) a transformation of one problem into another problem, such as mapping reduction or polynomial reduction.
Reduction
(music) An arrangement for a far smaller number of parties, e.g. a keyboard solo based on a full opera.
Reduction
A philosophical procedure intended to reveal the objects of consciousness as pure phenomena. (See phenomenological reduction.)
Reduction
(medicine) A medical procedure to restore a fracture or dislocation to the correct alignment, usually with a closed approach but sometimes with an open approach (surgery).
Closed reduction
Open reduction and internal fixation
Reduction
(paying) A reduced price of something by a fraction or decimal.
Reduction
(metalworking) The ratio of a material's change in thickness compared to its thickness prior to forging and/or rolling.
Reduction
The act of reducing, or state of being reduced; conversion to a given state or condition; diminution; conquest; as, the reduction of a body to powder; the reduction of things to order; the reduction of the expenses of government; the reduction of a rebellious province.
Reduction
The correction of observations for known errors of instruments, etc.
Reduction
The process of making a copy of something, as a figure, design, or draught, on a smaller scale, preserving the proper proportions.
Reduction
The bringing of a syllogism in one of the so-called imperfect modes into a mode in the first figure.
Reduction
The act, process, or result of reducing{7}; as, the reduction of iron from its ores; the reduction of an aldehyde into an alcohol.
Reduction
The operation of restoring a dislocated or fractured part to its former place.
Reduction
The act of decreasing or reducing something
Reduction
Any process in which electrons are added to an atom or ion (as by removing oxygen or adding hydrogen); always occurs accompanied by oxidation of the reducing agent
Reduction
The act of reducing complexity
Reduction
The act of making something smaller.
There was a significant reduction in the price of the gadget.
Reduction
A decrease in amount, size, or extent.
The reduction of greenhouse gases is essential for our planet.
Reduction
A simplified form or version.
She made a reduction of the original artwork for the exhibition.
Reduction
A decrease in price or rate.
Customers enjoyed a 20% reduction on all items during the sale.
Common Curiosities
Can "decrease" be used as a verb?
Yes, "decrease" can be both a noun and a verb, e.g., "The numbers decreased."
Which word is more common in scientific contexts?
"Reduction" is often used in scientific contexts, especially in chemistry.
Can we say "decrease in reduction"?
Yes, you can say that, meaning there's a decrease in the amount or rate of reduction.
Which word leans more towards intentionality?
"Reduction" often implies a more intentional act of making something smaller.
Is "reduction" primarily a noun or verb?
"Reduction" is primarily a noun.
Is "decrease" more passive in tone?
Often, "decrease" can sound more passive or incidental than "reduction."
Can "reduction" mean simplification?
Yes, "reduction" can refer to a simplified form or version.
Which is more formal, "decrease" or "reduction"?
Both can be used in formal contexts, but "reduction" might sound slightly more formal in some cases.
Which word implies a more gradual change?
"Decrease" often implies a more gradual change.
Can "decrease" relate to quality?
Yes, e.g., "There's a decrease in the quality of products."
Is "decrease" always negative?
No, "decrease" is neutral; its positivity or negativity depends on context.
Is "reduction" always about size or numbers?
No, "reduction" can also refer to intensity, importance, or other abstract concepts.
Can "reduction" be used in cooking?
Yes, in cooking, "reduction" refers to a liquid that has been thickened and concentrated.
Can both words be used in financial contexts?
Yes, both "decrease" and "reduction" can be used to discuss finances, e.g., decrease in revenue or reduction in costs.
Which word is more prevalent in everyday language?
"Decrease" is generally more common in everyday language.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
