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.

Rather, the tax is deferred until those funds are withdrawn, which allows more staggered drawdowns to help minimize taxes.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

Act soon to maximize benefits or minimize hits from last year’s tax changes, especially for charitable deductions, 529 accounts and withholding.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

They also took measures to minimize negative feedback, such as re-posting property listings under new identities.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2026

Each effort to minimize the story has amplified it.

From Salon • Apr. 13, 2026

Officials began to suspect that Myers was the sole killer and was desperately trying to implicate others to minimize his culpability.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

Vocabulary lists containing minimize

Words to Know Before You Defrost the Bird

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List 3

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