economize

[ ih-kon-uh-mahyz ]

verb (used without object)

, e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing.

1. to practice economy; avoid waste or extravagance.

   Synonyms: husband, conserve, save

verb (used with object)

, e·con·o·mized, e·con·o·miz·ing.

1. to manage economically; use sparingly or frugally.

   Synonyms: husband, conserve, save

economize

/ ɪˈkɒnəˌmaɪz /

verb

1. often foll by on to limit or reduce (expense, waste, etc)

Derived Forms

• eˌconomiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• une·cono·mizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of economize¹

First recorded in 1640–50; econom(y) + -ize

Example Sentences

By February, heads of artillery units in several regions said they had less than 10% of the supplies they needed as Kyiv rushed to economize shells.

From Seattle Times

She began with an incisive reading of Webern’s Six Pieces for Orchestra, keeping her conducting elegantly restrained, even economized — gestures that befitted this sharply angled, brief set.

From New York Times

Desperate to economize shells, military leaders ordered units to fire at only precise targets.

From Seattle Times

Jewison economized by having his cinematographer use a hand-held camera instead of fancier equipment.

From Los Angeles Times

Even laboratory mice, if deprived of food, can enter a state called torpor, a kind of standby mode that economizes energy.

From New York Times

Related Words

• conserve
• cut down
• scrimp