subsidize

1 of 2

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

transitive verb

: to furnish with a subsidy: such as

a

: to purchase the assistance of by payment of a subsidy

b

: to aid or promote (someone or something, such as a private enterprise) with public money

subsidize soybean farmers

subsidize public transportation

subsidization

ˌsəb-sə-də-ˈzā-shən 

-zə-

noun

subsidizer noun

subsidization

2 of 2

noun

sub·​si·​di·​za·​tion

variants also British subsidisation

ˌ⸗⸗də̇ˈzāshən, 

-ˌdīˈz-

plural -s

1

: the act or practice of subsidizing

2

: money or other benefits obtained as a subsidy

Synonyms of subsidize

Verb

• fund
• finance

Examples of subsidize in a Sentence

Verb

The state subsidizes housing for low-income families.

She feels that private businesses should not be subsidized by taxpayers.

The company subsidizes health insurance for its employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Questions about subsidizing parks and recreation programs with general fund dollars have emerged as the department, combined with facilities, faces deferred maintenance costs between $130 million and $170 million over the next decade. —Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 12 June 2026

For Prior, landing a partnership with Capital One is major, mainly because the bank subsidizes its trips to ensure guests actually have a great experience. —Jennifer Leigh Parker, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

The responsibility of county government is to serve taxpayers, not subsidize political activity. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 June 2026

The company meets supply needs for a Nigerian market that no longer depends on refined fuel imports that were subsidized by the government. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 12 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsidize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

: to aid or furnish with a subsidy

subsidization

ˌsəb-səd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌsəb-zəd-

noun

subsidizer noun