reduce
v.v. to make something smaller in size, amount, or number. You use this when you want to say there is less of something than before.
v. to make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. Transitive — requires a direct object to indicate what is being diminished.
The shop decided to reduce the price of the shoes.
The company aims to reduce its carbon footprint by switching to renewable energy sources over the next decade.
By implementing more efficient manufacturing protocols, the factory managed to reduce waste significantly while simultaneously increasing its total output.
From Middle English reducen, from Old French reduire, from Latin redūcō (“reduce”); from re- (“back”) + dūcō (“lead”). See duke, and compare with redoubt.
The verb is transitive and often takes the preposition 'by' to indicate the amount of change or 'to' to indicate the final result.
The prices reduced last weekThe prices were reduced last weekWhen the subject is the thing being changed, use the passive voice; 'reduce' usually requires an active agent to perform the action.