decrease
verb /dɪˈkriːs 
/
/Make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree: [no object]: the population of the area has decreased radically [with object]: the aisles were decreased in height...
- When fertility decreased, the garden would be abandoned and a new patch of land burnt for use.
- Russian security unilateralism would decrease; consultation would increase.
- Children from existing neighbourhoods will be affected by this catchment area decreasing.
Synonyms
lessen, grow/become less, grow/become smaller, reduce, drop, diminish, decline, dwindle, contract, shrink, fall off, die down;
abate, subside, let up, tail off, ebb, wane, taper off, peter out, lighten;
sink, slump, plummet, plunge
reduce, lessen, make less/fewer, lower, cut down/back (on), cut, curtail, contract, diminish, narrow, pare down, slim down, tone down, temper, weaken, deplete, minimize
informal slash
noun /ˈdiːkriːs /
/An instance of becoming smaller or fewer: a decrease in births [mass noun]: the rate of decrease became greater...
- Interest rates on banking credits are expected to fall with the decrease in the basic interest rate.
- Then came the economic downturn and a sharp decrease in the numbers venturing onto the slopes.
- The capital encountered severe drought this year due to a sharp decrease in rainfall.
Synonyms
reduction, drop, lessening, lowering, decline, falling off;
letting up, slackening, downturn, cut, cutback, curtailment, diminution, contraction, shrinkage, ebb, wane, de-escalation;
dying down, abatement;
North American downtick
Phrases
on the decrease
Derivatives
decreasingly
/ adverb [as submodifier]: voters have proved decreasingly willing to support the party...
- With decreasingly few exceptions, media is supported by advertising.
- Changes in urban areas have resulted in a decreasingly child-friendly environment.
- Dynamic debates within higher education were increasingly Africa-oriented and Africa-focused and decreasingly driven by the disciplines and discourses of their overseas counterparts.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French decreis (noun), decreistre (verb), based on Latin decrescere, from de- 'down' + crescere 'grow'.
crescent from Late Middle English:
The Romans referred to the thin curve of the waxing moon early in its cycle as luna crescens, ‘growing moon’. Crescens comes from Latin crescere ‘to grow’, the source of many English words such as the late 19th century curved croissant (the French form of crescent), accrue (Late Middle English), decrease (Late Middle English), and increase (Late Middle English). From being applied to the moon the word came to be applied to anything of that same shape. See also crew