minimize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
minimizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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minimized,
past participle, past
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minimizing
present participle
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to reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree.
-
to represent at the lowest possible amount, value, importance, influence, etc., especially in a disparaging way; belittle.
verb
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to reduce to or estimate at the least possible degree or amount
to minimize a risk
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to rank or treat at less than the true worth; belittle
to minimize someone's achievements
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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minimizesimple
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minimizessimple
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have minimizedperfect
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has minimizedperfect
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am minimizingprogressive
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are minimizingprogressive
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is minimizingprogressive
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have been minimizingperfect progressive
-
has been minimizingperfect progressive
Past
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minimizedsimple
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had minimizedperfect
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was minimizingprogressive
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were minimizingprogressive
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had been minimizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of minimize
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.
Vocabulary lists containing minimize
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Meiser’s partner said their approach was intended to minimize chaos in the jail system.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2026
The yearly adjustments for inflation that the government makes to various tax inputs present an opportunity for those trying to minimize their lifetime tax bill and optimize their retirement strategies.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 5, 2026
Buyouts can also minimize the hit to employee morale, by giving staffers some choice in the decision to leave.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026
This stabilization becomes especially noticeable at higher speeds, when the snakes tend to hold their heads elevated and minimize upward and downward movements.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 24, 2026
Before Inej had ever set foot on the high wire or even a practice rope, her father had taught her to fall—to protect her head and minimize the impact by not fighting her own momentum.
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Saylor’s answer was that his involvement minimizes risks and swings.
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2026
Across all its sites, the company is committed to buying and using electricity in a way that benefits other utility customers and minimizes water use, emissions and noise, she adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
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
Los Azules has promised to use an extraction method that minimizes water use.
From Barron's ● May 23, 2026
Among the many advantages of selective spraying is the fact that it minimizes the amount of chemical applied to the landscape.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Sun reported her exit and minimized screen time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 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
Noelle also implies — falsely — that cardio exercise can “throw your hormones off” and should be minimized, or even avoided.
From Salon ● May 8, 2026
I swiveled back around in my chair, looked at my computer screen, and minimized my history paper.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
It offers a way to gather information while minimizing the disturbance that normally accompanies quantum measurements.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 5, 2026
Without minimizing the scariness of war, it’s time for a hard pivot.
From Slate ● Oct. 30, 2026
“Understanding how quickly that population is growing will help us think about things like minimizing traffic collisions,” Spasojevic said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
She said a variety of CTEH’s practices were aimed at minimizing reports of contamination.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026
Gripping with all his strength, Drum faced into the storm, his streamlined body minimizing the wind.
From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
