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
Refusing to conform to reductive expectations, Nkanga turned instead to histories and aesthetics that reflected the full spectrum of life and legacy.
—
Okla Jones, Essence, 3 May 2025
Her empathetic work challenges reductive narratives in mainstream media, aiming to restore humanity and individuality to those too often dehumanized.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 2 May 2025
The Pitt, which comes from a team that will sound familiar to ER fans, including R. Scott Gemmill, John Wells, and Noah Wyle (who not only executive-produces but stars and writes), has been lauded as a type of return to broadcast TV basics, but that’s a reductive take on what’s working here.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
As a climber first and foremost, though, that is reductive of his generational talent on a bicycle.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reductive
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Okla Jones, Essence, 3 May 2025
Her empathetic work challenges reductive narratives in mainstream media, aiming to restore humanity and individuality to those too often dehumanized.
—Photovogue, Vogue, 2 May 2025
The Pitt, which comes from a team that will sound familiar to ER fans, including R. Scott Gemmill, John Wells, and Noah Wyle (who not only executive-produces but stars and writes), has been lauded as a type of return to broadcast TV basics, but that’s a reductive take on what’s working here.
—Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
As a climber first and foremost, though, that is reductive of his generational talent on a bicycle.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for reductive
Cite this Entry
“Reductive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reductive. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
reductive
adjective
re·duc·tive
ri-ˈdək-tiv
: of, relating to, causing, or involving reduction
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share