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
His mixed heritage—Kurdish, German, Portuguese, Angolan—defies Hollywood's reductive casting logic.
—
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 30 June 2025
The messaging was offensive, reductive, and rooted in centuries-old racist tropes linking Black Americans to criminality and drug use.
—Wanda James, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
Many examples of new German literature show contemporary Jewish and Muslim characters with complex identities – protagonists who are not seen as simply Jewish, Muslim or belonging to only one culture, pushing back on reductive stereotypes.
—Agnes Mueller, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
The geographically reductive moniker doesn’t capture the cultural roots of Wizkid’s music, nor his predecessors’ or contemporaries’.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 17 June 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.
Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 30 June 2025
The messaging was offensive, reductive, and rooted in centuries-old racist tropes linking Black Americans to criminality and drug use.
—Wanda James, Denver Post, 24 June 2025
Many examples of new German literature show contemporary Jewish and Muslim characters with complex identities – protagonists who are not seen as simply Jewish, Muslim or belonging to only one culture, pushing back on reductive stereotypes.
—Agnes Mueller, The Conversation, 18 June 2025
The geographically reductive moniker doesn’t capture the cultural roots of Wizkid’s music, nor his predecessors’ or contemporaries’.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 17 June 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 19 Jul. 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