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Dictionary Entry

reductive

adjective

Find the meaning of the word reductive, plus dictionary definition, pronunciation, thesaurus-style synonyms, antonyms, and related vocabulary.

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Meaning

Dictionary meaning in a clear, student-friendly format.

Tending to present a subject or problem in a simplified form, especially one that is considered oversimplified and thus misleading or incomplete.

Example Sentence

Her analysis of the economic crisis was criticized for being too reductive, as it ignored several key contributing factors.

Usage Note

Use 'reductive' to describe an explanation, argument, or approach that oversimplifies a complex topic, often to the point of distortion or inaccuracy. It suggests that important details, nuances, or complexities have been unfairly dismissed or ignored. For instance, you might say, 'That's a very reductive way to look at the issue.'

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