General meaning of reducing value or quality:
* Devalue: This word emphasizes the reduction of worth or importance.
* Depreciate: This focuses on the loss of monetary value or worth.
* Diminish: This highlights the reduction in size, quality, or importance.
* Cheapen: This is the most direct word, but it can also have negative connotations.
* Downgrade: This implies lowering the standard or quality.
* Water down: This suggests diluting or weakening something, often by adding less valuable ingredients.
Negative connotations:
* Degrade: This suggests lowering the moral or ethical standards of something.
* Tarnish: This refers to damaging the reputation or image of something.
* Cheap out: This is a colloquial term meaning to be unwilling to spend money.
* Cut corners: This means to reduce the quality of something to save money or time.
* Skimp: This refers to using less than what is needed or appropriate.
Other options:
* Discount: This refers to reducing the price of something.
* Bargain down: This refers to negotiating a lower price.
The best word to use will depend on the specific situation and the message you want to convey.