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

Examples of reductive in a Sentence

a reductive interpretation of the theory

Recent Examples on the Web

Dolce’s cool, reductive architectural sense, with its airy vistas and great open spaces inside and out (perfect for their energetic Labradors, Lola and her son, Dali), is cluttered with the eclectic bounty that Gabbana has assembled over the years. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 20 Sep. 2026

But assigning something as basic as a letter to something as complicated as the economy seems way too reductive. — Paddy Hirsch, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026

For one thing, archetypes are by definition reductive, and there are plenty of people around here who are older, or parents, or retired, or indifferent to the bar scene, or all of the above. — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 2 Sep. 2026

The answer, to be reductive, is that Splatoon Raiders is Nintendo's take on a looter-shooter, a Splatoon version of Borderlands or Destiny. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for reductive

• abductive
• conductive
• constructive
• deductive
• destructive
• inductive
• instructive
• obstructive
• productive
• seductive
• counterproductive
• photoconductive

Medical Definition

reductive

adjective

re·​duc·​tive ri-ˈdək-tiv 

: of, relating to, causing, or involving reduction