minimize

verb min·i·mize \ ˈmi-nə-ˌmīz \

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Examples: minimize in a Sentence

Definition of minimize

minimized; minimizing

transitive verb

1 : to reduce or keep to a minimum

minimize costs

minimize delays

2 : to underestimate intentionally : play down, soft-pedal

minimizing losses in our own forces while maximizing those of the enemy

3 : to replace (a window) on a computer display with a small button or icon which will restore the window when selected

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minimization

play \ˌmi-nə-mə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

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minimizer

play \ˈmi-nə-ˌmī-zər\ noun

See minimize defined for English-language learners

See minimize defined for kids

Examples of minimize in a Sentence

We need to minimize the chance of error.
The company will work to minimize costs.
I don't want to minimize the contributions he has made to the company.
During the interview, she minimized her weaknesses and emphasized her strengths.
Please minimize all open windows.

Recent Examples of minimize from the Web

To some gatekeepers' ears, traditional instruments -- such as fiddle and steel guitar -- seemed out of place, so many producers minimized or eliminated them on most recordings.

— tom roland, Billboard, "Country's Roots Are Showing as New Releases Embrace Old-School Sounds," 11 July 2018
Those who want to minimize parent-child tensions may opt to skip the loan and make an outright gift.

— liz weston, The Seattle Times, "Can you afford to help your kid start a business?," 9 July 2018
Improving life in our community, giving back, being aware of our impact and trying to minimize our impact.

— hang nguyen, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Nixon CEO on what makes teams and companies tick," 4 July 2018
Want to minimize stress as much as humanly possible?

— dr. patty khuly, miamiherald, "Get away. No need to be a prisoner to your special-needs pet," 21 June 2018
Gallant, a former Israeli general who once commanded the Gaza region and a current member of the inner Security Cabinet, said Israel's policy has been to aim at demonstrators' legs and try to minimize casualties.

— Bloomberg.com, "Israeli Minister: Gaza Casualties Don't Tell the Story," 4 June 2018
In Sweetwater, Dolores confronted her new rebooted Teddy, whose empathy has been minimized to make room for his new mercilessness and antagonism.

— sophie gilbert, The Atlantic, "Westworld: From Cradle to Grave," 28 May 2018
State wildlife officials are trying hard to minimize wolf-livestock conflicts by providing ranchers with the locations of the animals, but not all of the wolves in California have GPS collars.

— peter fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle, "Wolves in Northern California aren’t just loping through anymore; they’re here to stay," 9 May 2018
The higher elevation of the bridge also will minimize debris buildup during floods.

— suzanne baker, Naperville Sun, "McDowell Grove Forest Preserve expected to reopen in May," 24 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'minimize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of minimize

1825

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

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minimize Synonyms

Phrases

dump on;

MINIMIZE Defined for English Language Learners

minimize

verb

Definition of minimize for English Language Learners

: to make (something bad or not wanted) as small as possible
: to treat or describe (something) as smaller or less important than it is
computers : to make (a program's window) change to a very small form that takes almost no room on a computer's screen