reductive

American  

[ri-duhk-tiv] / rɪˈdʌk tɪv /

adjective

1. of or relating to reduction; serving to reduce or abridge.

   an urgent need for reductive measures.

2. of or relating to change from one form to another.

   reductive chemical processes.

3. employing an analysis of a complex subject into a simplified, less detailed form; of, pertaining to, or employing reductionism; reductionistic.

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noun

1. something causing or inducing a reductive process.

Other Word Forms

• antireductive adjective
• nonreductive adjective
• reductively adverb
• reductiveness noun

Etymology

Origin of reductive

First recorded in 1625–35; reduct(ion) + -ive

Example Sentences

Most discourse on Islam among non-Muslims is driven by reductive platitudes.

From The Wall Street Journal

This distinguishes it unfavorably from the traditional western, which, however reductive or politically wrongheaded, has always known how to keep an audience interested.

From The Wall Street Journal

The reductive strategy so nearly secured successive World Cup finals - but often proved soporific for supporters.

From BBC

The study’s approach is highly reductive, and the posted paper doesn’t offer a full list of cases and ratings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Biopics are “an exasperating genre,” Variety wrote, smushing some of “the planet’s most unorthodox personalities into a reductive, overly moralistic mold.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• diminishing
• diminutive
• minimal