minimize

minimize
min|i|mize [ `mını,maız ] verb transitive *
1. ) to reduce something harmful or unpleasant to the smallest amount or degree:
You can try to minimize the damage to innocent civilians.
─ opposite MAXIMIZE
2. ) to make something seem much less important than it really is:
I don't want to minimize their role in the campaign.
─ opposite EXAGGERATE
3. ) to put a shape or design into its smallest form, for example on a computer screen
╾ min|i|mi|za|tion [ ,mınımı`zeıʃn ] noun uncount

Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.

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  • minimize — min‧i‧mize [ˈmɪnmaɪz] also minimise verb [transitive] 1. to make something as small as possible: • Investing in unit trusts minimises the risks if stock markets fall. • We need to minimize our transport …   Financial and business terms

  • minimize — I verb abbreviate, abridge, attach little importance to, attenuate, bedwarf, belittle, cheapen, clip, criticize, curtail, cut down, cut down to size, cut short decimate, decrease, decry, deduct, deflate, degrade, demote, depreciate, derogate,… …   Law dictionary

  • minimize — min i*mize (m[i^]n [i^]*m[imac]z), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {minimized} (m[i^]n [i^]*m[imac]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. {minimizing} (m[i^]n [i^]*m[imac]*z[i^]ng).] 1. To reduce to the smallest part or proportion possible; to reduce to a minimum. Bentham.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • minimize — (v.) 1802, first recorded in Bentham; see MINIMUM (Cf. minimum) + IZE (Cf. ize) …   Etymology dictionary

  • minimize — (Amer.) min·i·mize || mɪnɪmaɪz v. make small, reduce; reduce as much as possible; make less important; play down; (Computers) make a window smaller to the point that only an icon remains in its place (also minimise) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • minimize — depreciate, *decry, belittle, disparage, derogate, detract Antonyms: magnify Contrasted words: aggrandize, *exalt: extol, eulogize, acclaim, laud, *praise …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • minimize — [v] make smaller; underrate abbreviate, attenuate, belittle, cheapen, curtail, cut down to size, cut rate, decrease, decry, deprecate, depreciate, derogate, detract, diminish, discount, disparage, downplay*, dwarf*, knock*, knock down*, lessen,… …   New thesaurus

  • minimize — (also minimise) ► VERB 1) reduce to the smallest possible amount or degree. 2) represent or estimate at less than the true value. DERIVATIVES minimization noun minimizer noun …   English terms dictionary

  • minimize — [min′i mīz΄] vt. minimized, minimizing 1. to reduce to a minimum; decrease to the least possible amount, degree, etc. 2. to estimate or make appear to be of the least possible amount, value, or importance SYN. DISPARAGE minimization n. minimizer… …   English World dictionary

  • minimize — 01. The government is trying to [minimize] the damage caused by the scandal. 02. Eating properly and getting plenty of exercise will help you to [minimize] the risk of a heart attack. 03. If the experiments are set up properly, you can [minimize] …   Grammatical examples in English

  • minimize — [[t]mɪ̱nɪmaɪz[/t]] minimizes, minimizing, minimized (in BRIT, also use minimise) 1) VERB If you minimize a risk, problem, or unpleasant situation, you reduce it to the lowest possible level, or prevent it increasing beyond that level. [V n]… …   English dictionary

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