Decrease meaning

What does “decrease” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“decrease” is a noun and verb with 6 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a change downward.

decrease

noun

a change downward
“there was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided”
“there was a sharp drop-off in sales”
Synonymslessening drop-off
Oppositesincrease
a process of becoming smaller or shorter
Synonymsdecrement
Oppositesincrease
the amount by which something decreases
Synonymsdecrement
Oppositesincrease
the act of decreasing or reducing something
Synonymsdiminution reduction step-down
Oppositesincrease

verb

decrease in size, extent, or range
“The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester”
“The cabin pressure fell dramatically”
Synonymsdiminish lessen fall
Oppositesincrease
make smaller
“He decreased his staff”
Synonymslessen minify
Oppositesincrease

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University

More about “decrease”

✦Synonyms for decrease✦Words that rhyme with decrease✦Unscramble DECREASE