subsidize

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

Synonyms of subsidize

• fund
• finance

Examples of subsidize in a Sentence

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

Even with the expansion, the state funds enough slots to subsidize only about 18% of eligible children. — Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

Van Der Werf hopes to use contracts in wealthier nations to subsidize work in the developing world. — Richard Morgan, Time, 29 June 2026

His employer subsidizes $700 of his $3,900 rent, and utilities and internet cost about $150 monthly. — Troy Closson, New York Times, 29 June 2026

The governor’s office inappropriately used $421,822 meant for their own office to subsidize other agencies. — Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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