Definition

This word describes something that decreases gradually or goes down in steps, often referring to rates or amounts that reduce over time.

Example

The company implemented a degressive pricing strategy to encourage more sales as the quantity purchased increased.

Conversation

I was reading about tax rates and found the concept of degressive taxation interesting.

Oh really? How does that work exactly?

It means that the tax rate decreases as income increases, which seems fairer to some people.

That makes sense; it could really help those with lower incomes.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Degressive is formed from "de-" (meaning down or away) and "gressus" (from the Latin "gradi", meaning to step or go). The term describes a process that steps down or decreases, often used in contexts like pricing or taxation.

Memory Tip

Think of 'stepping down' ('gressus' means to step) when you hear 'degressive' — it refers to something that decreases or goes down.

Visually Confused Words