Make or become smaller (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: REDUCE (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Make or become smaller" with 6 letters is "REDUCE".Reduce means to make or become smaller in size, amount, or degree. It can refer to decreasing quantities, minimizing waste, or lowering intensity in various contexts, such as reducing costs, portions, or environmental impact.
Why “Reduce” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “make or become smaller.” The answer, REDUCE, fits exactly:
- Make or become smaller: Reduce means to lessen in size, quantity, degree, or intensity — directly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: With 6 letters, reduce perfectly fits the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: It can refer to a deliberate action (to make smaller) or a natural change (to become smaller).
The word reduce is versatile in English usage:
- Origin and usage: From Latin reducere (“to bring back”), evolving in meaning to “decrease” or “diminish” over time.
- Contexts: Used in mathematics, cooking, environmental discussions, and everyday life.
- Examples: “We need to reduce expenses this year,” or “Boil the sauce to reduce it and thicken the flavor.”
Quick crossword clues like “make or become smaller (6)” often lead to straightforward verbs of decrease:
- Alternatives such as shrink (6) or diminish (8) may fit certain contexts, but reduce is broader and matches the clue perfectly.
- The dual meaning (active and passive) allows the clue’s wording to fit precisely.
- With correct length, clear definition, and common usage, reduce is the correct crossword solution.
