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

Explanation

Reductive things oversimplify information or leave out important details. A reductive argument won't win a debate, because it tries to make a complex issue much too simple. Your friend may recommend reading the "CliffsNotes" version of "Moby Dick," instead of the novel itself — but if you do, you'll only get a reductive summary of the plot and themes, instead of a long, nuanced book. Reductive shares a root with reduce, or "make smaller," the Latin reducere, "bring back." The earliest meaning of reductive was "that brings back."

Example Sentences

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 • Mar. 5, 2026

But Fabbro’s wistful salute to bygone traditions has significant limitations, especially noticeable in the reductive design of his diametrically opposed main characters.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2025

Spending the next 10 years lamenting Madigan’s potential snub would be nothing more than reductive, implying that her work is only worthy if it’s awarded by stuffy voters who maintain little respect for horror, anyway.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2025

Whether the videos are anti-AA or pro-AA, many are full of misinformation, reductive characterizations, evangelism, rage bait, and wannabe spiritual gurus.

From Slate • Sep. 10, 2025

I know only that I will never see him again, and that anything I can say or offer by way of his present life might well be taken as reductive and suspect.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• diminishing
• diminutive
• minimal