reductionist.

Using an approach that explains a complex phenomenon through more basic elements.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• reductionist approach
• reductionist explanation

On the page

The author rejects a purely reductionist explanation of social behavior.

Usage notes

Primary category: analysis / argumentation / evidence. Forms: Normally non-gradable; no ordinary comparative or superlative. Legacy lexical fields mirror sense 1 only. Use numbered sense fields for all meanings. Established modern English lexical item. No separate regional spelling or grammatical inflection entry. Writing functions: evidence, inference, qualification. Commonness: moderately common.