minimize

American  

[min-uh-mahyz] / ˈmɪn əˌmaɪz /

especially British, minimise

verb (used with object)

• minimizes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• minimized,
  past participle,  past
• minimizing
  present participle

1. to reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree.

2. to represent at the lowest possible amount, value, importance, influence, etc., especially in a disparaging way; belittle.

---

minimize British  

/ ˈmɪnɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to reduce to or estimate at the least possible degree or amount

   to minimize a risk

2. to rank or treat at less than the true worth; belittle

   to minimize someone's achievements

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• minimization
  noun
• minimizer
  noun
• unminimized
  adjective
• unminimizing
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• minimizing
  present
• minimized
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• minimize
  simple
• minimizes
  simple
• have minimized
  perfect
• has minimized
  perfect
• am minimizing
  progressive
• are minimizing
  progressive
• is minimizing
  progressive
• have been minimizing
  perfect progressive
• has been minimizing
  perfect progressive

Past

• minimized
  simple
• had minimized
  perfect
• was minimizing
  progressive
• were minimizing
  progressive
• had been minimizing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will minimize
  simple
• will have minimized
  perfect
• will be minimizing
  progressive
• will have been minimizing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of minimize

First recorded in 1795–1805; minim(um) + -ize

Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

minimize minimizes minimized minimizing

With so much attention focused on the high purchase price of a home these days, it can be tempting for buyers to overlook or minimize the ongoing costs of homeownership until they’ve moved in.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026

Policies should be targeted, with explicit and well-defined objectives, and feature a governance framework to guarantee political accountability and minimize the risk of corruption. 

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026

Trains are continuing to run through the Sylmar/San Fernando station, but passengers are being asked to board and exit through the back two cars to minimize disruption at the still-active crime scene, the spokesperson said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

In response to the Iranian attacks on American bases, the Pentagon has reduced its presence in Kuwait to minimize risk, U.S. officials said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

To minimize the risk of being cut in a spill, he tried to avoid very young, inexperienced horses.

From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand

It minimizes your role in your marriage and in your life, and it attempts to put you in a box.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 6, 2026

"Anyone who minimizes violence against women and girls is not voicing an isolated opinion, but revealing a complacent attitude toward abuse," the center said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Feb. 19, 2026

Mathematically, the principle of minimum change minimizes the distance between the joint probability distributions of the initial and updated belief.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 13, 2025

“This sentence minimizes the gravity of Rodriguez’s actions and the devastating impact on Mr. Morin’s family, while also disregarding the significant effort the jury devoted to reaching a just verdict,” Chief Deputy Dist.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2025

Slash-and-burn minimizes the time in which the ground is unprotected.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

In the past year, six members of Congress have died in office, and while a couple were surprises, most of them had health issues they minimized or ignored until it was too late.

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2026

Marines not long into the conflict, with all risks minimized by the availability of ample tactical air support.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

"Strikingly, when this receptor was removed from the mice, the development of arterial plaques dropped significantly in some areas and disruptions to the gut microbiome were minimized."

From Science Daily ● Jun. 9, 2026

“The fastball was good, slider was good, used the curveball, minimized hits.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 2026

As much as Jus hates that the death of his best friend was minimized by the hung jury, he can’t begin to imagine what Manny’s parents must be going through.

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone

Most seemed to think he’s guilty, even as they used minimizing language.

From Salon ● Aug. 7, 2026

Our priority is minimizing disruption to students’ academic progress and while supporting their athletic goals.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2026

Under its plan, individual researchers at universities would receive funding directly, minimizing the direct involvement of universities.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

Kraft, who is bullish on both EchoStar and SpaceX shares, also said the company’s focus should be on minimizing taxes on the SpaceX deal, and he raised the possibility of a merger.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 17, 2026

“I’m not minimizing the wrong that’s being done here. I just...”

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Related Words

• curtail
• decrease
• diminish
• downplay
• lessen
• play down
• reduce
• trivialize
• underestimate