Antonym of ‘Increase’ with Example Sentences

If you are learning English opposites, the most direct antonym of the verb “increase” is “decrease.” While “increase” means to make something larger in amount, size, or degree, “decrease” means to make something smaller or reduce it. For example, if a store raises its prices, that is an increase. If the store lowers its prices, that is a decrease. This guide gives you clear definitions, practical examples, common mistakes, and a short practice section so you can use both words correctly in writing, conversation, and email.

Quick Answer: What Is the Opposite of ‘Increase’?

The opposite of increase is decrease. Both words can be used as verbs or nouns.

• Increase (verb): to become or make something greater in size, amount, or degree.
• Decrease (verb): to become or make something smaller in size, amount, or degree.
• Increase (noun): a rise in number, size, or amount.
• Decrease (noun): a reduction in number, size, or amount.

Other common opposites for “increase” include reduce, lower, cut, and diminish. However, “decrease” is the most direct and widely used antonym.

Comparison Table: Increase vs. Decrease

Natural Examples of ‘Increase’ and ‘Decrease’

Seeing these words in real contexts helps you understand how to use them naturally. Below are examples from different situations.

Everyday Conversation

• “The price of milk increased again.”
• “I hope the price of gas decreases soon.”
• “My workload has increased this month.”
• “The noise level decreased after midnight.”

Business and Email Context

• “We plan to increase our marketing budget next year.”
• “Please decrease the font size to fit the text on one page.”
• “The company reported a 10% increase in profit.”
• “There has been a steady decrease in website traffic.”

Academic or Formal Writing

• “The study found an increase in average test scores.”
• “Researchers observed a decrease in pollution levels.”
• “The government aims to increase funding for education.”
• “Efforts to decrease carbon emissions are ongoing.”

Formal vs. Informal Tone

Both “increase” and “decrease” are neutral words that work in formal and informal settings. However, there are slight differences in tone depending on the words you choose.

• Formal: “The committee decided to decrease the budget.” (Use in reports, official emails, or academic writing.)
• Informal: “We need to cut back on spending.” (“Cut back” is a phrasal verb that means decrease, but it sounds more casual.)
• Formal: “The company will increase salaries next year.”
• Informal: “They’re going to raise our pay.” (“Raise” is a common informal synonym for increase.)

In email, you can use “increase” and “decrease” directly. For example: “We need to decrease the number of meetings to save time.” This is clear and professional without being too stiff.

Common Mistakes with ‘Increase’ and ‘Decrease’

English learners often make a few predictable errors with these words. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Preposition

Incorrect: “The price increased with 10%.”
Correct: “The price increased by 10%.”
Explanation: Use “by” to show the amount of change, not “with.”

Mistake 2: Confusing Verb and Noun Forms

Incorrect: “There was a increase in sales.”
Correct: “There was an increase in sales.”
Explanation: “Increase” as a noun starts with a vowel sound, so it needs the article “an.” The same rule applies to “decrease”: “a decrease” is correct because it starts with a consonant sound.

Mistake 3: Using ‘Decrease’ When ‘Reduce’ Is More Natural

Incorrect: “Please decrease the volume.”
Correct: “Please reduce the volume.” or “Please turn down the volume.”
Explanation: While “decrease” is grammatically correct, “reduce” or “turn down” sounds more natural for volume, speed, or intensity.

Mistake 4: Forgetting That ‘Increase’ and ‘Decrease’ Can Be Intransitive

Incorrect: “The temperature increased it.”
Correct: “The temperature increased.”
Explanation: When the subject itself changes, you do not need an object. You can say “Sales increased” without adding “something.”

Better Alternatives for ‘Increase’ and ‘Decrease’

Depending on the context, you might want to use a more specific word. Here are some alternatives and when to use them.

Alternatives for ‘Increase’

• Raise: Use for prices, salaries, or levels. (“They raised the rent.”)
• Boost: Use for morale, energy, or performance. (“The good news boosted our spirits.”)
• Expand: Use for size, business, or influence. (“The company expanded its operations.”)
• Grow: Use for plants, businesses, or skills. (“She grew her online store.”)

Alternatives for ‘Decrease’

• Reduce: Use for costs, waste, or risk. (“We need to reduce waste.”)
• Lower: Use for volume, price, or expectations. (“Please lower your voice.”)
• Cut: Use for spending, staff, or time. (“The company cut jobs.”)
• Drop: Use for temperature, interest, or numbers. (“The temperature dropped suddenly.”)

When to Use ‘Increase’ vs. ‘Decrease’

Choosing the right word depends on what you want to say about the change. Here is a simple guide.

• Use increase when something goes up: numbers, size, speed, intensity, or value.
• Use decrease when something goes down: costs, time, risk, temperature, or frequency.
• In formal writing, both words are safe and clear.
• In conversation, you might hear “go up” and “go down” more often. For example: “Prices went up.” or “The temperature went down.”

Mini Practice: Increase or Decrease?

Test your understanding with these four questions. Choose the correct word (increase or decrease) to complete each sentence. Answers are below.

1. The company wants to _______ the number of employees by 20% next year. (They plan to hire more people.)
2. To save money, we need to _______ our electricity usage.
3. There was a sudden _______ in temperature, so we turned on the heater.
4. The teacher asked the students to _______ their speaking speed so everyone could understand.

Answers:

1. Increase (They are hiring more people, so the number goes up.)
2. Decrease (Saving money means using less electricity.)
3. Decrease (A sudden drop in temperature means it got colder.)
4. Decrease (Speaking slower means reducing speed.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can ‘increase’ and ‘decrease’ be used as nouns?

Yes. For example: “There was an increase in sales.” and “We saw a decrease in errors.” As nouns, they are often used with the prepositions “in” or “of.”

2. What is the difference between ‘decrease’ and ‘reduce’?

Both mean to make something smaller, but “reduce” is more common in everyday English, especially for actions you control. “Decrease” is often used for numbers, statistics, or natural changes. For example: “Reduce your speed” sounds more natural than “Decrease your speed.”

3. Is it correct to say “increase by” or “increase to”?

Both are correct but have different meanings. “Increase by” tells you the amount of change. Example: “Sales increased by 20%.” “Increase to” tells you the final number. Example: “Sales increased to 500 units.”

4. What are some common opposites of ‘increase’ besides ‘decrease’?

Other common opposites include reduce, lower, cut, diminish, shrink, and drop. The best choice depends on the context. For example, “shrink” is good for physical size, and “cut” is good for budgets or time.

Final Tips for Using ‘Increase’ and ‘Decrease’

To use these words correctly, remember these three points:

1. Use “by” to show the amount of change: “increased by 5%.”
2. Use “an” before “increase” (vowel sound) and “a” before “decrease” (consonant sound).
3. Choose a more specific word like “raise” or “cut” when you want to sound natural in conversation.

For more practice with opposite words, visit our Common Opposites section or explore other Antonyms with Examples. If you have questions, check our FAQ page or contact us for help.