Definition of decrease

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de·crease    (d-krs) KEY 

intr. & tr.v.
de·creased, de·creas·ing, de·creas·es

To grow or cause to grow gradually less or smaller, as in number, amount, or intensity.

NOUN:
(dkrs)

1. The act or process of decreasing.
2. The amount by which something decreases.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English decresen, from Old French decreistre, decreiss-, from Latin dcrscere : d-, de- + crscere, to grow; see ker-² in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
de·creasing·ly(Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
decrease, lessen, reduce, dwindle, abate, diminish, subside

These verbs mean to become or cause to become smaller or less. Decrease and lessen refer to steady or gradual diminution: Lack of success decreases confidence. His appetite lessens as his illness progresses. Reduce emphasizes bringing down in size, degree, or intensity: The workers reduced their wage demands. Dwindle suggests decreasing bit by bit to a vanishing point: Their savings dwindled away. Abate stresses a decrease in amount or intensity and suggests a reduction of excess: Toward evening the fire began to abate. Diminish implies taking away or removal: The warden's authority diminished after the revolt. Subside implies a falling away to a more normal level: The wild enthusiasm aroused by the team's victory did not subside for days.