minimize
verb
min·i·mize
ˈmi-nə-ˌmīz 
minimized; minimizing
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
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 on the Web
This eliminates manual scaling inefficiencies, ensuring high availability while minimizing energy consumption.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Properly applied mulch prevents weed seeds from reaching the soil, stopping weed growth and minimizing competition for nutrients and water.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Consider your burgeoning pimples and accompanying redness, minimized.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
The researchers evaluated several AI reasoning models on the six problems from the 2025 USAMO shortly after their release, minimizing any chance the problems were part of the models' training data.
—ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimize
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Properly applied mulch prevents weed seeds from reaching the soil, stopping weed growth and minimizing competition for nutrients and water.
—Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
Consider your burgeoning pimples and accompanying redness, minimized.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 25 Apr. 2025
The researchers evaluated several AI reasoning models on the six problems from the 2025 USAMO shortly after their release, minimizing any chance the problems were part of the models' training data.
—ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for minimize
Cite this Entry
“Minimize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minimize. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
minimize
verb
min·i·mize
ˈmin-ə-ˌmīz
minimized; minimizing
1
: to make as small as possible
minimize the chance of error
2
a
: to place a low estimate on
minimized their losses
b
: to make (something) seem little or unimportant : belittle
minimized their opponent's victory
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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