# reductive

/ɹɪdˈʌktɪv/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reductive
Updated: 2026-05-28

## Definition

describing something that is too simple or basic to be true. It often means that a complex idea has been made too easy to understand, losing its real meaning.

For teachers: characterised by the simplification of complex phenomena to a single, often oversimplified, factor or explanation. Frequently used to critique theories or models that ignore nuance.

## Examples

- The movie's plot is too reductive for my taste.
- Critics argued that the documentary's explanation of the war was reductive, focusing only on economic factors while ignoring cultural ones.
- While the initial hypothesis provided a useful framework, the subsequent analysis was criticized for being overly reductive, as it failed to account for the diverse motivations of the local population.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.