degression

The tax degression lowered the rate for small businesses.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A gradual reduction or decrease: "degression" refers to the act or process of decreasing or diminishing, especially in a systematic or step-by-step manner. This is often used in contexts like taxation, where rates are lowered in stages.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The tax system incorporates a degression in rates for lower income brackets. (A gradual reduction in tax percentages.)
  • The degression of the company's profits over the year was alarming. (The steady decline in earnings.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tax degression": A specific application in fiscal policy where tax rates decrease as the taxable base increases (opposite of progression).
  • The government introduced a degression in property taxes to encourage home ownership. (A reduction in tax rates applied in steps.)

Variants and Related Words

• Degressive (adj): characterized by or involving degression; decreasing gradually.

  • The degressive tariff structure benefits small businesses. (A system with decreasing rates.)

• Degressively (adv): in a manner that decreases gradually.

  • The fees are applied degressively, with higher charges for initial units. (Applied with a pattern of reduction.)

Synonyms

• Reduction: the act of making something smaller or less.
• Diminution: a gradual lessening or decrease.
• Decline: a gradual loss of strength or amount.

Related Idioms

• "On the decline": experiencing a gradual decrease.
  • The degression of the population in rural areas is on the decline. (The population is decreasing.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Fall off: to decrease in amount or intensity.

  • Sales began to fall off after the holiday season. (To decline gradually.)

• Drop off: to become less or lower.

  • The number of visitors dropped off sharply in winter. (To decrease significantly.)