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

Why are taxpayers subsidizing products that worsen diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and metabolic dysfunction? —Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 30 May 2026

Without an infinite runway, there was less room to subsidize behavior that might not become sustainable. —Hebron Sher, Fortune, 29 May 2026

Tax increment financing was a way the City was able to mitigate private investments in affordable housing by subsidizing the costs for land and the costs for infrastructure. —Mercury News Editorial Board, Mercury News, 29 May 2026

Government interference in the market — using taxpayer money to build affordable housing, subsidizing mortgages, imposing zoning restrictions — creates another set of disincentives. —Allison Schrager, Twin Cities, 28 May 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