verb

decrease

dih-KREES

verb

To become smaller in amount, size, or degree; or to cause something to become smaller.

"Crime rates decreased significantly after the new policy was introduced."

"The doctor decreased her dosage after the side effects appeared."

noun

A reduction in the size or amount of something.

"The company reported a sharp decrease in quarterly profits."

How to Use Decrease

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo get smaller, or a drop in amount — the opposite of increase.

Easily confused with

discrete →

Common pairings

decrease in price sharp decrease gradually decrease

decreased past tense, decreases plural, decreases singular

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Can you complete this real example?

Crime rates _____ significantly after the new policy was introduced.

From Middle English decresen, via Old French descreistre, ultimately from Latin decrescere.

fall go down plummet plunge reduce shrink sink cut decrement lower diminish wane

go up grow increase rise soar shoot up increment raise

abate die increase add shrink kill fall retreat

case base mase vase ease tase Jase erase cease phase pease chase

fall go down plummet plunge reduce shrink sink cut decrement lower diminish wane