economize

verb

econ·​o·​mize i-ˈkä-nə-ˌmīz How to pronounce economize (audio)
economized; economizing

intransitive verb

: to practice economy : be frugal

transitive verb

: to use frugally : save
economizer noun

Example Sentences

He was born into a wealthy family and never learned to economize. in tough times people learn how to economize
Recent Examples on the Web The trend accelerated during the pandemic, boosting sales of Scotch, bourbon and tequila, though some recent data has pointed to a slowdown in growth as shoppers look to economize. Joseph Hoppe, WSJ, 17 Jan. 2023 State securities regulators often coordinate their efforts in enforcement cases, letting one state or another take the lead, mostly to economize. Dallas News, 2 Feb. 2023 Builders and engineers are trying out a lot of ways to economize on concrete without compromising safety. M. Mitchell Waldrop, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2022 Now, with inflation squeezing disposable incomes, big distillers are betting on another round of home drinking as consumers economize. Joshua Kirby, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2023 Sales of private-label products, which are typically cheaper than brand-name equivalents, have surged in recent months as shoppers look for ways to economize amid soaring inflation. Trefor Moss, WSJ, 14 Dec. 2022 In the international competition, Mine S has developed a modular system to simplify and help economize different steps in the creation process. Liza Foreman, Variety, 23 Sep. 2022 This would give seniors complete protection against potentially bankrupting drug costs, while leaving them free to economize on low-cost drug purchases – without relying on any more taxpayer money. John C. Goodman, Forbes, 19 July 2022 Couples blindsided by wedding budgets that have blown up by as much as 100% are scrambling to economize by any means possible in order to contend with the highest inflation in 40 years. Martha C. White For Cnn Business, CNN, 23 Aug. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'economize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1780, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of economize was in 1780

Dictionary Entries Near economize

Cite this Entry

“Economize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/economize. Accessed 1 Apr. 2023.

Kids Definition

economize

verb
econ·​o·​mize i-ˈkän-ə-ˌmīz How to pronounce economize (audio)
economized; economizing
1
: to practice economy : be thrifty
economize on fuel
2
: to use less of : save
economize fuel
economizer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on economize

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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