economize

especially British, e·con·o·mise

[ih-kon-uh-mahyz]

verb (used without object)

economized, economizing 

1. to practice economy; avoid waste or extravagance.

   Synonyms: husband, conserve, save

verb (used with object)

economized, economizing 

1. to manage economically; use sparingly or frugally.

   Synonyms: husband, conserve, save

economize

/ ɪˈkɒnəˌmaɪz /

verb

1. (often foll by on) to limit or reduce (expense, waste, etc)

Other Word Forms

• economization noun
• uneconomizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of economize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; econom(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

In France, we really had to economize how we shoot things.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The retired construction worker from Los Angeles said prices were already high, but the financial turmoil and fear of inflation fueled by President Trump’s tariffs have added pressure to economize.

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You figure out what wording makes this joke concise, how to economize with words instead of overtalking, like I’m doing right now.

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By February, heads of artillery units in several regions said they had less than 10% of the supplies they needed as Kyiv rushed to economize shells.

Read more on Seattle Times

She began with an incisive reading of Webern’s Six Pieces for Orchestra, keeping her conducting elegantly restrained, even economized — gestures that befitted this sharply angled, brief set.

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Related Words

• conserve 
• cut down 
• scrimp