minimize

[ min-uh-mahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, min·i·mized, min·i·miz·ing.

1. to reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree.
2. to represent at the lowest possible amount, value, importance, influence, etc., especially in a disparaging way; belittle.

minimize

/ ˈmɪnɪˌmaɪz /

verb

1. to reduce to or estimate at the least possible degree or amount

   to minimize a risk

2. to rank or treat at less than the true worth; belittle

   to minimize someone's achievements

Derived Forms

• ˈminiˌmizer, noun
• ˌminimiˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• mini·mi·zation noun
• mini·mizer noun
• un·mini·mized adjective
• un·mini·mizing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minimize¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; minim(um) + -ize

Example Sentences

"Our team started spiking a range of carefully selected small molecules to the plasma with the aim of minimizing the interactions of highly abundant proteins with nanoparticles," Mahmoudi said.

From Science Daily

What the researchers found was that while the chloroplast cannot escape intense light, it can minimize its effect by shrinking.

From Science Daily

The women often minimized the difficulties they experience, describing their farm work as simple and their husbands' as "the real work."

From Science Daily

But fire officials say the practice saves lives, and that the benefit of protecting ecosystems by minimizing fire spread outweighs the potential harms.

From Los Angeles Times

The authors conducted a sibling analysis to help minimize the influence of other factors, such as severity of diagnosis and underlying genetics, that may influence the results.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• curtail
• decrease
• diminish
• downplay
• lessen
• play down
• reduce
• trivialize
• underestimate