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

• 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

Economist Matthew Kahn argues insurance companies should be allowed to charge more to insure houses in flood or fire-risk areas; otherwise, other homeowners are subsidizing homeowners to take more risks in dangerous areas. —Richard McGahey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

They are literally subsidized by you and me, the American taxpayer. —Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025

But that would create a thorny conflict of interest for Denholm and her fellow directors, with Musk seeking — not for the first time — to use Tesla to subsidize one of his less-profitable ventures. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2025

Politicians invoke cars as stand-ins for personal choice, while subsidizing the industry to the tune of billions. —Henrietta Moore, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for subsidize

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

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