As the river's flow decreased during the drought, the exposed riverbed revealed ancient fossils.
干旱期间河流流量减少，裸露的河床露出了古代化石。
A columnist claims that the data show reading rates decrease steadily as age increases.
From a Command of Evidence: Quantitative question · Information and Ideas
An ecologist claims that as pesticide use increases, pollinator visits decrease.
From a Command of Evidence: Quantitative question · Information and Ideas
A columnist claims that the data show weekly transit use decreases steadily as distance from a station increases.
From a Command of Evidence: Quantitative question · Information and Ideas
Which choice best defines “decrease”?
D — To become smaller or less. “decrease” means to become smaller or less.
Which word means “to become smaller or less”?
B — decrease. “decrease” means to become smaller or less.
decrease — to become smaller or less. In Chinese: 减少.
decrease is pronounced /dɪˈkriːs/.
As the river's flow decreased during the drought, the exposed riverbed revealed ancient fossils. (干旱期间河流流量减少，裸露的河床露出了古代化石。)
decline, diminish, reduce — all close in meaning to decrease (to become smaller or less).
increase, grow — each the opposite of decrease (to become smaller or less).
Yes. decrease is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.