maximize

especially British, max·i·mise

[mak-suh-mahyz]

verb (used with object)

maximized, maximizing 

1. to increase to the greatest possible amount or degree.

   to look for ways of maximizing profit.

2. to represent at the highest possible estimate; magnify.

   He maximized his importance in the program, minimizing the contributions of the other participants.

3. to make the greatest or fullest use of.

   Maximize your time by planning ahead.

maximize

/ ˈmæksɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to make as high or great as possible; increase to a maximum

2. maths to find the maximum of (a function)

Other Word Forms

• maximization noun
• maximation noun
• maximizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of maximize¹

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

Example Sentences

But the company has acknowledged that maximizing that benefit will require investments in raising Discover’s profile and reach, especially outside the U.S. where the network isn’t as widely accepted.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

When Verizon announced Schulman as the new CEO, it said the company would focus on maximizing value propositions, reducing costs, and delivering sustainable long-term growth for shareholders.

Read more on Barron's

The study shows “that even people who are very physically inactive can maximize their heart health benefit by tweaking their walking patterns to walk for longer at a time, ideally for at least 10-15 minutes.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The tribes in Southern California — we get minimal resources from the feds, so we have to maximize those resources,” Mirelez said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Still, if a team of experts had set out to create a human being to maximize the likelihood that he would terrify a Wall Street customer, they might have designed something like Lippmann.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• augment 
• bloat 
• boost 
• enlarge 
• escalate 
• exaggerate 
• expand 
• magnify 
• overestimate 
• pad 
• widen