reductive

adjective

re·​duc·​tive ri-ˈdək-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, causing, or involving reduction

2

: of or relating to reductionism : reductionistic

reductively adverb

reductiveness noun

Example Sentences

a reductive interpretation of the theory

Recent Examples on the Web

That can be so reductive — and Emily, in refusing to really talk to her sister, speaks volumes. —Darren Franich, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2023

But even Maskin, who recalls going to see the band Heart perform while growing up, says there was something reductive and tokenizing about the way the rock band was talked about at the time. —Cyrena Touros, ELLE, 31 Dec. 2022

Over the years, Wood has transformed songs — calling them covers seems too reductive — by contemporary names such as Fiona Apple, Sia and Prince. —Eva Recinos, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2023

Another question is curatorial: Why not hang the photographs chronologically — or would that seem reductive? —Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Jan. 2023

But that’s an awfully reductive way of thinking about The View, which—despite its many chaotic low points—created a new, more ambitious, paradigm for talk shows aimed at a female audience. —Time, 31 Dec. 2022

Keep in mind that this is a fairly reductive way to view overall health and wellness. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 31 July 2022

Yet if the draggy storytelling is reductive, fear not. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 2 Feb. 2023

But, like Bernice King, the senator warned against a reductive understanding of King. —Arkansas Online, 17 Jan. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

reductive

adjective

re·​duc·​tive ri-ˈdək-tiv 

: of, relating to, causing, or involving reduction