Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb boil_down

3 senses of boil down

Sense 1
reduce, come down, boil down -- (be the essential element; "The proposal boils down to a compromise")
       => become, turn -- (undergo a change or development; "The water turned into ice"; "Her former friend became her worst enemy"; "He turned traitor")

Sense 2
boil down, reduce, decoct, concentrate -- (be cooked until very little liquid is left; "The sauce should reduce to one cup")
       => decrease, diminish, lessen, fall -- (decrease in size, extent, or range; "The amount of homework decreased towards the end of the semester"; "The cabin pressure fell dramatically"; "her weight fell to under a hundred pounds"; "his voice fell to a whisper")

Sense 3
reduce, boil down, concentrate -- (cook until very little liquid is left; "The cook reduced the sauce by boiling it for a long time")
       => decrease, lessen, minify -- (make smaller; "He decreased his staff")