minimize
Americanverb (used with object)
-
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
-
to reduce to or estimate at the least possible degree or amount
to minimize a risk
-
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
-
minimizesimple
-
minimizessimple
-
have minimizedperfect
-
has minimizedperfect
-
am minimizingprogressive
-
are minimizingprogressive
-
is minimizingprogressive
-
have been minimizingperfect progressive
-
has been minimizingperfect progressive
Past
-
minimizedsimple
-
had minimizedperfect
-
was minimizingprogressive
-
were minimizingprogressive
-
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
Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
List 3
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Kindred
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
“They’re literally looking at every angle possible to minimize the impact on the community.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026
At the same time, militaries are also seeking ways to maximize space and minimize weight in larger aircraft, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 19, 2026
The county, he said, could ask for “beautification of the building site” and minimize impact to neighbors.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
But financial experts are worried that the company is overvalued and that its stock will be prone to immense volatility, despite SpaceX’s steps to minimize turbulence.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026
Simultaneously, they seek to minimize their risk of starving: moderate but reliable returns are preferable to a fluctuating lifestyle with a high time-averaged rate of return but a substantial likelihood of starving to death.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions 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.
