v.
1 cut (back), cut down (on), decrease, diminish, moderate, abate, lessen, shorten, truncate, abbreviate, abridge, curtail, crop, trim, compress, restrict, limit, stunt:
We must reduce expenses this year.
2 ease (up on), let up (on), decrease, mitigate, tone down, slacken up (on):
It will reduce the burden of your costs if you share with me.
3 lose weight, slim (down), diet, trim down, Chiefly US slenderize:
You'll have to reduce to fit into that dress, Betty.
4 change, modify, adjust, turn, convert; break down or up, grind, rub, triturate, pulp, powder:
Payment of the debt reduced me to poverty. The first step is to reduce the liquid to a thick extract
5 cut, decrease, trim, bring down, lower, drop, mark down, slash, Colloq knock down:
The prices on these shoes have been reduced for a quick sale.
6 demote, degrade, lower, downgrade, break; humble; Military US and Canadian bust:
He was reduced in rank from sergeant to private.
7 diminish, lessen, bring down, depreciate, subdue, belittle, minimize:
He was reduced in her estimation when she saw the deprecating way his friends treated him
8 Medicine set, adjust, reset:
The doctor caused little pain when he reduced her dislocated finger.