minimize

Other forms: minimized; minimizing; minimizes

The verb minimize describes making something smaller or less serious. It typically refers to something negative that is being reduced, like when you eat at home instead of in restaurants to minimize expenses.

To correctly pronounce minimize, accent the first syllable, which gets the short i sound: "MIH-nuh-mize." Minimize looks like minimum, which has the same spelling and meaning in English and Latin: smallest. To minimize something is to reduce it to its smallest amount — in size or importance. Other related words include minimal, miniscule, minute, and mini.

Definitions of minimize

1. verb

   make small or insignificant
   “Let's minimize the risk”

   synonyms: minimise

   antonyms:

   maximize

   make as big or large as possible

   types:

   hedge

   minimize loss or risk

   type of:

   decrease, lessen, minify

   make smaller
2. verb

   represent as less significant or important
   synonyms: downplay, minimise, understate

   types:

   trivialise, trivialize

   make trivial or insignificant

   type of:

   inform

   impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to
3. verb

   cause to seem lesser or inferior
   synonyms: belittle, denigrate, derogate

   types:

   talk down

   belittle through talk

   type of:

   belittle, disparage, pick at

   express a negative opinion of