100 Words to Use Instead of “Reduce”

No.	Term	Definition
1.	Abate	Become less intense.
2.	Abridge	Shorten without losing meaning.
3.	Ameliorate	Make better; lessen harm.
4.	Attenuate	Weaken in force or effect.
5.	Austerize	Make more austere; cut back.
6.	Belittle	Make seem less important.
7.	Budget-cut	Lower spending allocations.
8.	Cap	Set an upper limit.
9.	Chisel down	Trim gradually and repeatedly.
10.	Clamp down	Enforce tighter control.
11.	Compact	Make denser or smaller.
12.	Conserve	Use less; save resources.
13.	Contract	Become smaller or narrower.
14.	Curtail	Cut short; limit.
15.	Cut	Make smaller by removing.
16.	Cut back	Do less; spend less.
17.	Cut down	Decrease in amount or size.
18.	Dampen	Lessen intensity or enthusiasm.
19.	Decelerate	Slow the rate of motion.
20.	Decrement	Decrease by a set amount.
21.	Deduct	Subtract from a total.
22.	Deflate	Make less inflated or proud.
23.	Deintensify	Make less intense.
24.	Deplete	Use up; leave less.
25.	Depreciate	Lower in value over time.
26.	Diminish	Make or become smaller.
27.	Discount	Deduct a percentage from price.
28.	Downgrade	Lower in rank or quality.
29.	Downscale	Reduce in size or scope.
30.	Downshift	Move to a lower level.
31.	Draw down	Use up a supply.
32.	Ease	Make less severe or tight.
33.	Economize	Use resources more sparingly.
34.	Elide	Omit parts in speech or text.
35.	Erode	Wear away gradually.
36.	Exhaust	Use up completely.
37.	Fewer	A smaller number of items.
38.	Fine-tune	Adjust to a smaller margin.
39.	Flag	Become less vigorous.
40.	Funnel down	Narrow choices or scope.
41.	Gag	Restrict speech or output.
42.	Gash	Cut deeply; lessen integrity.
43.	Gently taper	Decrease gradually to an end.
44.	Gut	Remove most of the contents.
45.	Halve	Cut into two equal parts.
46.	Hobble	Limit movement or capability.
47.	Hush	Make quieter; suppress noise.
48.	Impair	Make less effective.
49.	Inhibit	Hold back or restrain.
50.	Insulate	Limit exposure or impact.
51.	Jetison	Throw off to lighten load.
52.	Knock down	Lower a price or figure.
53.	Lessen	Make smaller in degree.
54.	Limit	Set boundaries on amount.
55.	Liquidate	Convert assets; shrink holdings.
56.	Lower	Move to a smaller level.
57.	Make leaner	Remove excess; streamline.
58.	Minify	Make smaller in size.
59.	Minimize	Make as small as possible.
60.	Moderate	Make less extreme.
61.	Muffle	Dull sound or effect.
62.	Narrow	Make less wide or broad.
63.	Neutralize	Cancel out an effect.
64.	Normalize	Bring back to standard levels.
65.	Pare	Trim away the excess.
66.	Pare back	Cut back gradually.
67.	Pinch	Constrain spending tightly.
68.	Prune	Remove unwanted parts.
69.	Pull back	Retreat; scale down effort.
70.	Purge	Remove unwanted elements.
71.	Ration	Limit allowed amounts.
72.	Recalibrate	Adjust to a new, lower setting.
73.	Reel in	Draw back; restrain.
74.	Reform	Change to lessen faults.
75.	Regulate	Control to keep within limits.
76.	Rein in	Restrain from going too far.
77.	Restrain	Hold back from action.
78.	Retract	Draw back; take back.
79.	Retract spending	Pull back expenditures.
80.	Scale back	Decrease size or activity.
81.	Scale down	Make smaller in scope.
82.	Scrimp	Spend as little as possible.
83.	Shave	Remove a small amount.
84.	Shorten	Make less long.
85.	Shrink	Become smaller in size.
86.	Simplify	Make less complex.
87.	Slim	Make thinner or less bulky.
88.	Slow	Decrease speed or rate.
89.	Soften	Make less harsh.
90.	Squeeze	Force into a smaller space.
91.	Stabilize	Prevent further increase.
92.	Staunch	Stop or slow a flow.
93.	Stem	Hold back; stop increase.
94.	Stint	Limit supply or spending.
95.	Subdue	Bring under control.
96.	Subside	Become less intense or active.
97.	Subtract	Take away from a number.
98.	Suppress	Prevent from being shown.
99.	Tame	Make less wild or extreme.
100.	Taper	Diminish gradually.