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

“Foods must be easy to prepare and consume in microgravity, minimize crumbs, and remain safe and stable throughout the mission.”

From Salon • Apr. 10, 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

“The submarine cable industry goes to great lengths to protect cables, provide resilient networks and minimize disruptions,” said Dean Veverka, the committee chairman and chief technology officer at cable operator Southern Cross.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

This was to minimize the chance of trouble—it was chaos enough to have a gallery full of keeplocks at large.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

Vocabulary lists containing minimize

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List 3

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