Meaning & use
decrease
To become smaller in size, amount, or degree, or to make something so.
See it in a sentence
Sales decreased sharply after the company raised its prices last spring.
Regular exercise can decrease the risk of several chronic illnesses.
A note on using this word
Can be used intransitively (the amount decreases) or transitively (they decreased the amount).
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. noun
A reduction in the size, amount, or degree of something.
There was a noticeable decrease in traffic after the new highway opened.
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