minimize
verb OPAL W
/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/
/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/
(British English also minimise)
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they minimize | /ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/ /ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/ |
| he / she / it minimizes | /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪz/ /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪz/ |
| past simple minimized | /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzd/ /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzd/ |
| past participle minimized | /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzd/ /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzd/ |
| -ing form minimizing | /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪŋ/ /ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪŋ/ |
- minimize something to reduce something, especially something bad, to the lowest possible level
- Good hygiene helps to minimize the risk of infection.
- Costs were minimized by using plastic instead of leather.
Extra Examples- The proposals are designed to minimize waste and encourage recycling.
- measures to help minimize the effects of the recession
- to pay the cheapest possible rent in order to minimize costs
- They worked at night in order to minimize the disruption.
- minimize something to try to make something seem less important than it really is synonym play down
- He always tried to minimize his own faults, while exaggerating those of others.
- minimize something to make something small, especially on a computer screen
- Minimize any windows you have open.