Minimizing
/ˈmɪnɪmaɪzɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo make something as small or insignificant as possible; to reduce to a minimum.
/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/
To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.
The company is working to minimize its environmental impact.
💡 Simply: Think of minimizing as making something smaller, like when you make a window on your computer tiny so it doesn't take up much space. It could be minimizing the number of mistakes, the impact of a problem, or the size of something physical.
👶 For kids: To make something as small as possible, like making a tiny drawing or using the least amount of paint.
More Examples
The doctor tried to minimize the patient's pain with medication.
To get the best results, you need to minimize the risk of error.
He is trying to minimize his spending to save money.
How It's Used
"Companies often try to minimize costs to increase profits."
"The software minimizes resource usage to improve performance."
"Politicians often try to minimize the damage caused by their scandals."
To downplay or make something seem less important than it is.
/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/
To treat or regard something as less important than it is.
She tried to minimize her involvement in the scandal.
💡 Simply: Think of minimizing as pretending something isn't a big deal when it really is, like when someone minimizes the effect of a mistake they made. This is also the meaning from the previous definition, applied to significance.
👶 For kids: To act like something is not important when it actually is.
More Examples
He attempted to minimize the severity of the injury.
Don't minimize the importance of this meeting; it's critical.
The lawyer tried to minimize the evidence against her client.
How It's Used
"He tried to minimize his role in the incident to avoid blame."
Synonyms & Antonyms
From the word "minimum" (Latin "minimus," meaning smallest) and the suffix "-ize," indicating the act of making something smaller.
The verb 'minimize' has been in use since the late 18th century, stemming from the noun 'minimum'. Its usage broadened with the advent of computing and technology, where efficiency became paramount.
Memory tip
Imagine MINUSing the SIZE to MINIMIZE it.
Word Origin
"smallest"