minimize

[min-uh-mahyz] / ˈmɪn əˌmaɪz /

VERB

make smaller; underrate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

curtail decrease diminish downplay lessen play down reduce trivialize underestimate

STRONG

abbreviate attenuate belittle cheapen decry deprecate depreciate derogate detract discount disparage dwarf knock miniaturize pan pooh-pooh prune shrink underplay

WEAK

cut down to size knock down make light of make little of poor-mouth put down run down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

develop enlarge expand extend grow increase lengthen prolong raise strengthen

STRONG

approve build up commend compliment exalt laud praise

WEAK

maximize overestimate overrate

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.

To minimize the psychological distress of the families during the burial process, Pourzahedian said he used cotton and paper to reconstruct the physical form of the victims within the shrouds.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

Targeting nominal GDP rather than inflation can minimize the damage from supply shocks.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

She added BP had been "working with customers and governments to get fuel where it's needed, helping minimize disruption and the impact it can have on people's lives".

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Drones minimize risks to sailors and could give the U.S. negotiating leverage if they help open the waterway.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

The curriculum was extremely quantitative, focused on figuring out how to maximize benefits and minimize costs, without much concern for what those benefits achieved and the costs created.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing minimize

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List 3

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Kindred

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