minimize

American  

[min-uh-mahyz] / ˈmɪn əˌmaɪz /

especially British, minimise

verb (used with object)

minimized, minimizing

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

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

Etymology

Origin of minimize

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

Example Sentences

During the season, most coaches prefer that their passers not take hits away from games, to minimize the risk of injury.

From The Wall Street Journal

This process targets tumor tissue while minimizing harm to nearby healthy cells.

From Science Daily

He is careful not to risk lifting more than he can handle, minimizing bodily wear-and-tear that might compromise his ability to do the job.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their responses can subtly highlight certain viewpoints while minimizing others, often without users realizing it.

From Salon

Moreover, to minimize their losses, manufacturers focused on large, luxurious EVs whose life-cycle emissions were virtually guaranteed to be greater than the cars they were supposedly displacing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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