Decrease vs. Increase: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Decrease means to become smaller or less in size, amount, intensity, or degree, while increase means to become larger or greater in the same aspects.
Key Differences
Decrease implies a reduction in size, quantity, or intensity, signifying a movement towards a lesser state. It can apply to various contexts, such as temperature, prices, or workload. Increase, conversely, denotes a rise or growth in these same aspects, indicating a movement towards a greater state. While decrease is about diminishing, increase is about augmenting.
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Dec 04, 2023
In economic terms, decrease refers to a downward trend in financial figures like profits, market values, or investments, indicating a contraction. Increase in this context means an upward movement in such financial metrics, signifying expansion or growth. A decrease suggests a decline in economic health, whereas an increase often points to economic improvement.
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Dec 04, 2023
Regarding usage in scientific contexts, decrease often relates to a reduction in measurements, such as temperature, speed, or frequency. Increase is used to describe an escalation in these measurements. A decrease in scientific terms can indicate a decline in activity or energy, whereas an increase signifies a rise in the same.
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Dec 04, 2023
In a social or behavioral context, decrease can refer to a reduction in occurrences or intensities, like a decrease in crime rates or social media usage. Increase refers to a rise in such occurrences or activities, suggesting more frequent or intense engagement. A decrease in social terms often implies improvement or decline in activities, whereas an increase can suggest either escalation or problems, depending on the context.
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Dec 04, 2023
Linguistically, decrease is used both as a verb (to decrease) and a noun (a decrease), often accompanied by qualifiers to denote the extent. Increase similarly functions as both a verb and a noun, and can be modified to convey the degree of growth or escalation. Both words are versatile in grammatical usage, adapting to various contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Economic Context
Downward trend in values or quantities
Upward trend in values or quantities
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Dec 04, 2023
Scientific Usage
Reduction in measurements or quantities
Escalation in measurements or quantities
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Dec 04, 2023
Social/Behavioral Context
Reduction in occurrences or intensities
Rise in occurrences or intensities
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Dec 04, 2023
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Decrease and Increase Definitions
Decrease
To reduce in size, quantity, or intensity.
The company saw a decrease in profits this quarter.
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Dec 04, 2023
Increase
To grow or rise in size, quantity, or degree.
The company reported an increase in sales.
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Dec 04, 2023
Decrease
A reduction or decline in measurable aspects.
There was a noticeable decrease in temperature overnight.
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Dec 04, 2023
Increase
Growing in extent, number, or amount.
There was an increase in online course enrollments.
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Dec 04, 2023
Decrease
The act or process of becoming less or lower.
A decrease in investment could impact the business negatively.
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Increase
A rise or augmentation in measurable aspects.
The city experienced an increase in population.
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Dec 04, 2023
Decrease
To become or cause to become less or smaller, as in number, amount, or intensity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
The act or process of becoming more or higher.
An increase in exercise led to better health outcomes.
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Dec 04, 2023
Decrease
(intransitive) Of a quantity, to become smaller.
The quality of our products has decreased since the main designer left.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
(transitive) To make (a quantity) smaller.
Let's decrease the volume a little so we can hear each other talking.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
An amount by which a quantity is decreased.
After six years of constant growth, the company reported a slight decrease in sales last year.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
The amount or rate by which something is increased
A tax increase of 15 percent.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
(knitting) A reduction in the number of stitches, usually accomplished by suspending the stitch to be decreased from another existing stitch or by knitting it together with another stitch. See Decrease (knitting).
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
To grow less, - opposed to increase; to be diminished gradually, in size, degree, number, duration, etc., or in strength, quality, or excellence; as, they days decrease in length from June to December.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The olive leaf, which certainly them toldThe flood decreased.
Crete's ample fields diminish to our eye;Before the Boreal blasts the vessels fly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
(intransitive) (of a quantity, etc.) To become larger or greater.
His rage only increased when I told him of the lost money.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
To cause to grow less; to diminish gradually; as, extravagance decreases one's means.
That might decrease their present store.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
A becoming less; gradual diminution; decay; as, a decrease of revenue or of strength.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax.
The Moon increases.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
A change downward;
There was a decrease in his temperature as the fever subsided
There was a sharp drop-off in sales
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
(knitting) The creation of one or more new stitches; see Increase (knitting).
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
Decrease in size, extent, or range;
The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester
The cabin pressure fell dramatically
Her weight fall to under a hundred pounds
His voice fell to a whisper
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To become greater or more in size, quantity, number, degree, value, intensity, power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance; - opposed to decrease.
The waters increased and bare up the ark.
He must increase, but I must decrease.
The heavens forbidBut that our loves and comforts should increase,Even as our days do grow!
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To multiply by the production of young; to be fertile, fruitful, or prolific.
Fishes are more numerous or increasing than beasts or birds, as appears by their numerous spawn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
To become smaller or less in a specific context.
The doctor noted a decrease in the patient's symptoms.
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Dec 04, 2023
Increase
To become more nearly full; to show more of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases.
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Oct 19, 2023
Decrease
Diminishing in extent, number, or amount.
The decrease in demand led to lower production.
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Dec 04, 2023
Increase
To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount, etc.; to add to; to extend; to lengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to increase one's possessions, influence.
I will increase the famine.
Make denialsIncrease your services.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
Addition or enlargement in size, extent, quantity, number, intensity, value, substance, etc.; augmentation; growth.
As if increase of appetite had grownBy what it fed on.
For things of tender kind for pleasure madeShoot up with swift increase, and sudden are decay'd.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
That which is added to the original stock by augmentation or growth; produce; profit; interest.
Take thou no usury of him, or increase.
Let them not live to taste this land's increase.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
Progeny; issue; offspring.
All the increase of thy house shall die in the flower of their age.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
The period of increasing light, or luminous phase; the waxing; - said of the moon.
Seeds, hair, nails, hedges, and herbs will grow soonest if set or cut in the increase of the moon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
A quantity that is added;
There was an addition to property taxes this year
They recorded the cattle's gain in weight over a period of weeks
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
A change resulting in an increase;
The increase is scheduled for next month
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
A process of becoming larger or longer or more numerous or more important;
The increase in unemployment
The growth of population
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
The amount by which something increases;
They proposed an increase of 15 percent in the fare
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
Make bigger or more;
The boss finally increased her salary
The university increased the number of students it admitted
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Oct 19, 2023
Increase
To become larger or greater in a specific context.
The increase in traffic is due to the new shopping center.
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Dec 04, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "increase" always positive?
No, increase can be negative in certain contexts, like an increase in pollution.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" mean total elimination?
No, decrease implies reduction, not complete elimination.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" be used in social contexts?
Yes, like a decrease in crime rates or public interest.
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Dec 04, 2023
Are "decrease" and "increase" opposites?
Yes, they are generally considered antonyms.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does "increase" always mean improvement?
Not necessarily; it depends on the context.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" be used as a noun?
Yes, it can function as a noun, indicating a reduction.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" be used in a financial context?
Yes, it can refer to a reduction in financial values like profits or investments.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "increase" only about quantity?
No, it can also refer to quality, intensity, or degree.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Does "increase" always imply growth?
In most contexts, increase implies growth or augmentation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Is "increase" used in scientific measurements?
Yes, like an increase in temperature or speed.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" refer to a decline in health?
Yes, it can signify a reduction in health or wellness.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "increase" applicable in environmental contexts?
Yes, like an increase in sea levels or global temperatures.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does "increase" always refer to large changes?
No, increases can be small or gradual.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" apply to physical size?
Yes, it can refer to the reduction in physical dimensions.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" apply to emotional states?
Yes, like a decrease in stress or anxiety levels.
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Dec 04, 2023
Is "increase" a neutral term?
Yes, it's neutral and context determines its positive or negative connotation.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" imply a negative trend?
In some contexts, it can suggest a negative trend or problem.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" be temporary?
Yes, decreases can be temporary or reversible.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does "increase" always require a comparison?
Often, but not always; context provides clarity.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can "decrease" be intentional?
Yes, like a deliberate decrease in production or spending.
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Dec 04, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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