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minimize

verb
min·​i·​mize | \ ˈmi-nə-ˌmīz How to pronounce minimize (audio) \
minimized; minimizing

Definition of minimize

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
Other Words from minimize Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about minimize

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Other Words from minimize

minimization \ ˌmi-​nə-​mə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce minimization (audio) \ noun
minimizer \ ˈmi-​nə-​ˌmī-​zər How to pronounce minimizer (audio) \ noun

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.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Doing so will minimize miscommunications and avoid confusion about your upcoming plans. — Tribune Content Agency, oregonlive, "Horoscope for Sept. 2, 2019: Happy birthday Keanu Reeves; Capricorn, time to try something new," 2 Sep. 2019 This, in turn, would actually minimize her long-term opportunities. — Ramona Sentinel, "Ask Mr. Marketing: My daughter’s gotten SO smart," 20 Aug. 2019 Officials relaxed the regulations to minimize the impact on industry. — Amanda Coletta, Anchorage Daily News, "North Atlantic right whales are migrating in new ways - and dying in the process," 2 Aug. 2019 Of those locations, 75 involve temporary impacts on water quality, and LG&E is required to take steps to minimize the impacts and restore those areas as much as possible post-construction, Hokanson said. — Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, "Bernheim Forest will fight 'uphill battle' to stop LG&E from using land to build pipeline," 11 July 2019 Neither will say so, but Suburban Showplace hopes to benefit from that while NAIAS wants to minimize it. — Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, "New auto show shoulders into Detroit show’s January time slot," 8 July 2019 Nicole Schaub, Arizona Republic As the Woodbury Fire continued to burn more than 123,000 acres Wednesday, Tonto National Forest officials were taking steps to minimize the impact on the burn area's native plants. — Brieanna J. Frank, azcentral, "As Woodbury Fire continues, Tonto National Forest officials assess damage to native vegetation," 24 June 2019 Raptors coach Nick Nurse knew minimizing turnovers would be key, along with knocking down more 3-pointers after going 8 for 32 on 3s in a 106-105 Game 5 defeat as the Warriors staved off elimination Monday in Toronto. — Janie Mccauley, chicagotribune.com, "Raptors dethrone injury-plagued Warriors in wild Game 6 to capture 1st NBA title," 13 June 2019 Garbage sorting, recycling, minimizing waste, and a lot of new technology are the tools envisioned to turn Bornholm into one of the first garbage-free communities on the planet. — Karen Gunn, National Geographic, "This island is going trash free—by recycling all of its waste," 22 Apr. 2019

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.

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First Known Use of minimize

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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More Definitions for minimize

minimize

verb
How to pronounce minimize (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of minimize

: 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

See the full definition for minimize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

minimize

verb
min·​i·​mize | \ ˈmi-nə-ˌmīz How to pronounce minimize (audio) \
minimized; minimizing

Kids Definition of minimize

1 : to make as small as possible Safety rules minimized the risks.
2 : to treat or describe (something) as smaller or less important than it is Don't minimize the impact of the discovery on science.
3 : to make (a program's window) change to a very small form that takes little room on a computer screen

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