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

One of the second wave’s more dubious gains was a reductive can-women-have-it-all discourse that stays conveniently blind to material conditions. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026

For Chen, beauty becomes a way of resisting reductive portrayals of communities defined by poverty. —Lise Pedersen, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026

Focusing on Young’s addiction feels reductive, especially when her catalog is filled with humor and intellect and skill. —Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 11 Mar. 2026

This is the kind of reductive take one hears when popularity is mistaken for cultural value. —Letters To The Editor, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 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