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.

“In building any new facilities, we want to carefully look at those impacts and minimize them.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Its decision to delay the update to the Gauge was an effort to minimize disruption, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Consumers can minimize their risk of exposure to harmful food chemicals by choosing organic produce over non-organic produce and researching the nutritional and processing information for their favorite products.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Beth Pinsker writes the Fix My Portfolio problem, which typically features advice on retirement planning, long-term investing and strategies to minimize federal income taxes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

“Right now, all I want to do is minimize any risks, to make sure no one will be harmed.”

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu

Vocabulary lists containing minimize

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